Organizer:	Wendy 2856
Trip Date:	07/24/2010 - 07/25/2010
Total Miles:	12.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	easy

     This trip is about hiking with man's best friend, Fido.  A leisurly two day hike with your best buddy.  There are a few rules that need to be observed. They are:
      (1) No Cats allowed.
      (2) You must have a Fido or share a Fido with another.
      (3) Fido must be current with his/her shots (especially rabies), and be licensed.  Documentation at the trail head will be checked. No exceptions!
      (4) Although your Fido is the most wll mannered and trail savy dog in the universe, he/she must be leashed at all times while  on the trail or outside your abode in camp.  You may take fido away from camp, several hundred yards, and let him/her romp unleashed.  (Just be aware that porcupines and rattlesnakes have been known to romp unleashed in the same area.)
      (5) Fido's waste will be treated as your waste is.  WAG bags are preferred but (dare I say it) Cat Holes are acceptable.
      (6) A water bowl will be necessary, Fido is not to drink directly from, or play in our water source.
      (7) No cats allowed.

     We will meet at the Trail head on Saturday, no later than 11:30. Hiking will begin at High Noon.  Hiking will be counter clock wise, about 7 miles on Saturday and 5 miles on Sunday.  Camp will be on Morrison creek, about a mile past Morrison run campground.  We should be out by noon on Sunday. An exit on the connector trail is a possibility on Sunday. We can decide that on Saturday night while "chewing the fat" around the campfire.
     Bug repellant for you and Fido are recomended.  
     Any questions, contact me at reb527@hotmail.com    

Organizer:	Steve .none.
Trip Date:	03/27/2010 - 03/28/2010
Total Miles:	15.00
Pace:	2.5
Difficulty Level:	Easy

This is a loop hike using the North Country trail and Tracy Ridge trail systems.

The trailhead is on Route 346 just east of Willow Bay recreation area.

Day 1:

I would like to be on the trail by 10:00am so plan your arrival accordingly.

We will hike the North Country Trail south for 3.6 miles to Tracy Ridge trail for 3 miles and then down Johnnycake Run for 2.4 miles.  We will make camp for the night beside Johnnycake Run

Day 2:

North Country trail north for 5.8 miles back to the cars.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/recreation/hiking/tracy_ridge/

Organizer:	GT
Trip Date:	07/08/2010 - 07/11/2010
Total Miles:	22.80
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

This trip takes place on the first leg of the Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail. It travels over old town roads, wooded trail,  private land as well as current town roads with a walk through the outskirts of Naples, NY. The Little Switzerland of America. It is a bit different then most trips as there is a bit of road walking involved, but still a fair amount of real trails too. I like to return to this area as I had once lived and hiked there.

Day 1, drive into Naples for a quick lite bite and hit the trail, stopping for refreshments at both Widmer's Winery, and Bob and Ruths Ice-Cream before our climb up onto High-tor to camp 1. Once camp is set up we can hike down Conklin Gully and check out the falls, maybe cool ourselves off in the stream. We ran into rain last year. Miles for the day, 7.5+. There is a new lean-to at Hi-Tor, but with the bugs this time of year, you will want a tent.

Day 2 we will continue along the trail with a steep down and moderate up Italy Hill and camp near a shelter, The Outback Inn. This day’s hike will run about 9.5 miles.  We will find a tent site near this area to camp in.

Sunday we will have a short 4.5 mile hike to the waiting vehicle. From this point we will  grab lunch in Naples  and get the shuttle cars, then head back to NEOH.

There will be water available for all 3 nights camping as well as watering up via filter during the hike should the need arise.

There were pit toilets at both sites last year, but only the one on High-tor was usable..

The drive is about 4.5 hours from Cleveland. I would like to meet at the first rest stop in Pa.on I90 East at 6:00 to 6:15 pm Thursday evening and camp at former employees back yard, she will probably have a fire ready for us when we get there. Spirits and conversation to follow! This will also be the end of the trip where we will leave shuttle cars. Those who have gone in the past know what I mean. I want to avoid a 5 hour drive and 8 mile hike in the same day.
 

Bug spray/nets are a must for this trip!!!

Smoking and spirits friendly, within reason. Good dogs welcome!

Any questions, please contact me.

Organizer:	Big Dave
Trip Date:	05/20/2010 - 05/23/2010
Total Miles:	50.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

Itinerary

Thursday, May 20 (after work) – drive to Black Moshannon State Park and camp there (near Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania)

Friday, May 21 – spot the vehicles near the campground (I am exploring where best to safely leave a vehicle) and go north on Shingle Mill Trail to the Allegheny Front Trail.  Turn left on AFT.

Saturday, May 22 – continue to hike the AFT counter-clockwise.  There should be a number of good vistas this day.

Sunday, May 23 – take the AFT back to the Shingle Mill Trail, turn left and return to the vehicles.  Drive home.

Approximate mileages:
Friday   17-20
Saturday 17-20
Sunday  10-16

The mileage is fairly high (for me) but the terrain is not TOO bad.  Each day will consist of 8+ hours of hiking.  We will follow LNT principles.

This is a 'hike on your own' trip.  We will not hike as a group.  If several have the same pace fine, but do not expect to hike as a group of six.  We will 'gather' at specified points along the way.  You need to have a map and be able to use it on the trail.

Sharing of gear (as much as practical) and carpooling is recommended.

No pets or firearms.

Organizer:	superhiker
Trip Date:	08/11/2010 - 08/22/2010
Total Miles:	75.00
Pace:	2.0
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

A 'life list' trip.

Hike the complete Teton Crest trail with dayhikes before and during.  Perhaps a few peaks thrown in for good measure.

Organizer:	Shark
Trip Date:	05/29/2010 - 05/31/2010
Total Miles:	25.00
Pace:	2.0 - 2.5
Difficulty Level:	Moderate to Strenuous

May 29-31 Sat.-Mon. Roaring Plains – Canyon Rim Backpack.  Explore and witness some of the most spectacular, remote, rocky and seldom visited high elevation country in the Central Appalachain Mountains.  Depending on the spring weather, we may even have some early Mountain Laurel and certainly somes ramps along the way.  Be prepared for potentially freezing temps at night and weather extremes. Despite high elevation, climbs are mostly gradual (except at the end of day 2). Again, I would like to gather a few ramps along the way so be thinking of a good trail recipe using them. Prizes will be awarded (if I remember to pack them this year)!!
Total 25 miles (with packs) plus some exploring/water gathering mileage.

Day 1, Saturday, May 29, 6.2 miles, +834 ft, -383 ft (Yellow Trace):
Meet at the South Prong Trailhead Parking Area (the upper/eastern one) (UTM 17S  642,140mE  4,313,431mN) at 10:00am. We will head out on the South Prong Trail (TR517). We may stop for a few views along the way that are off trail if the weather is good. After 2.25 miles, we’ll turn to the south on the unofficial Hidden Passage Trail. There is some water at this location if needed. We’ll follow this trail to the Pipeline and a beautiful overlook for lunch overlooking Roaring Canyon (about 1.6 miles). From the overlook, we will make our way around the rim of Roaring Canyon (there is a small patch of ramps along the way). When we cross Roaring Creek, we will gather enough water for dinner and the next morning. We will carry the water for 0.84 miles to camp. Bring an extra container if you plan to use a lot in camp. This will take about 4-5 hours with the stops and lunch along the way. Camping will be tight at this site. If you can share with someone else for this night, it will be easier on us. If necessary, we may split up the group to accomodate in a pinch.  I would really like to take 10 so if you have a skinny tent, hammock or a bivy, let me know and I may open the trip up the additional people.

Day 2, Sunday, May 30, 6.6 miles, +935 ft, -915 ft (Blue Trace):
We will break camp around 9:00 am or so and follow the unofficial Canyon Rim Trail. Following it north east, we will see several nice views (weather pending) and eventually cross a large bolder field. There is sometimes water just past the field but if it is dry, we may have to hike further for it.  After a total of 2.4 miles, we will join the Roaring Plains Trail (548). We will follow it for only 0.6 miles before turning left onto an old RR grade near the Stone Hunter’s Blind. Generally, there are several “seeps” of water along this grade. We will stay on this grade (slightly downhill and brushy in places) until the steep 400’ climb at the end to reach our camp. Since we have found a water source near camp, we WILL NOT have to carry our water up the climb this year. Along the way, we’ll probably grab a light lunch near a shaded small creek (sometimes dry, sometimes running). It should take about 4-5 hours to reach camp. Upon arrival, we will set up camp in the field to the west of Haystack Knob either on the edge of the meadow edge in the trees. Then, I would like to gather water and clean up a bit. We may choose to cook our fabulous ramp creations on the top of Haystack for a enjoyable dinner with a view and sunset if the weather cooperates.

Day 3, Monday, May 31, 10.5 miles, +1016 ft, -1506 ft (Blue Overlap and Purple Trace):
We will break camp around 9:00 am or so and backtrack the previous day’s hike to the Canyon Rim Junction (about 4.3 miles) grabbing water along the way. We will stay on the Roaring Plains Trail (548) back to the pipeline. If the weather is good, we’ll make one small detour to a large boulder field for the view along the way. From the pipeline, we can grab some additional water from the South Prong of Red Creek. We will follow Forest Road 70 for 3.5 miles back to the trailhead. We should only be on the trail for about 4-5 hours reaching the cars in time to have a late lunch or head into Davis or Thomas for food. A probable, alternate route will be to follow the remainder of the South Prong Trail to the it's

Organizer:	Bearanoia
Trip Date:	03/19/2010 - 03/21/2010
Total Miles:	21.00
Pace:	1
Difficulty Level:	3

The plan is to leave early friday the 19th and meet at the lodge trailhead around 9am. Hiking clockwise to the main campground (about 9 1/2 miles). Saturday continuing clockwise to the campground by Dock 3 (about 9 1/2 miles). On Sunday the hike back to the trailhead is about 4 miles.
There is a camping fee of $14.00/night/site.

Organizer:	Youngvine
Trip Date:	04/01/2010 - 04/03/2010
Total Miles:	60.00
Pace:	3
Difficulty Level:

This itinerary is for clear weather hiking minus light rain. Any full out scheduled thunderstorms on the radar will change the plans or cancel the trip.

Please review Superhiker's November 2009 trip posting and log for additional personal data, as I have not hiked this trail thus far.

The plan is to carpool from our various homes to the trailhead at the Russel P. Letterman vista (formerly the Fish Dam Run Vista) about 10 miles south of Renovo, PA on Route 144. I'd like to reach the trailhead by 10:30 pm. We'll take in base camp gear (tents and tarps) 2.5 miles south on east branch connector trail for the night. On Friday, we'll be fastpacking/dayhiking the entire 33 mile west loop in counter clockwise fashion. We'll all reconvene at base camp for Friday night. On Saturday AM, I'd like to take down camp, drop all the heavy gear back at the cars, then tackle the 22 mile eastern loop, also counter clockwise. This is where we gather a monster 60 miles for the weekend.

As you can clearly visualize, the goal is to pack very light, move consistently throughout the day, and carry only necessities (headlamp, first aid, clothes, water/filter, and food). I've put in several high elevation, long day hikes, but I've never put in over 30+ miles over one day, let alone, 60 in less than 48 hours. I also don't exactly plan on hiking as a 'group', unless we can all keep the same pace. Plan for wicked side cuts, water crossings, 1000'+ climbs/descents and brushy plateaus.

Per Jeff Mitchell's 'Backpacking Pennsylvania' and Superhiker's trip reports on the Chuck Keiper, I'm hoping for stunning views, rugged trail, remote hiking, and a decent amount of wildlife!

The Adventure Lies Within.

Please, no pets or smokers.

Email with any questions. You can order free maps from Sproul State Forest or use the ones I've attached below.

Organizer:	trail breaker
Trip Date:	03/19/2010 - 03/21/2010
Total Miles:	17.90
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

The trailhead is about 90 minutes southeast of Columbus, OH. Take SR.33 south to Nelsonville, then OH278 south for about 15 miles toward Lake Hope. The parking lot is across from the Hope Furnace historic site.
I would like to meet at the trail head at 8:00PM and start hiking by 8:30PM. We will hike in to the first camp site less than two miles. Saturday will be 10.70 miles. Sunday will be 5.4 miles back to the cars.
for a total of 16.91 miles. This is not a hard trip, but it will require hiking in the dark, cold temps at night and hiking and camping on snow. Even though the calender says spring I consider this a winter trip. Please be prepared if you sign up. There are cisterns with water and outhouses at the camp sights.

Organizer:	litolpea
Trip Date:	04/02/2010 - 04/04/2010
Total Miles:	19.30
Pace:	2 - 2.5
Difficulty Level:	Moderate for most strenuous for some

So, I can't stand pastel colored bunny hopping shizzie. So what better way to avoid the Sunday Best than to head to the woods?

NOTE: Even though I loathe the warm fuzzy Easter morning feeling...I do LOVE Easter eggs and baskets of chocolate *grin*
SO...Prepare for some on the trail!
(BYOE!)

So...yah. I was looking to take an Easter hike...and the NCT hike that Fairweather posted was PERFECT! So...with proper permission, I am copy-catting (copy bunny-ing?) it! *grin*
(Also..well. I haven't done the NCT..so this sounded like a FAB way to get familiar, ya know?)


For this trip we will follow the NCT north out of Kellettville to the minister creek trailhead for a grand total of 19.3 miles.

Also we will need to set up a shuttle. Since the days will still be a little short, we are doing this Friday night.

FRIDAY:
Meet at the Kellettville Army Corps of Engineers campground around 8:30PM. The campground office doesn’t open until April 16 so the campsites are free. You can get directions by typing N41.545010 W79.255796 into Google maps.

Saturday (16 miles)
We will start out following the NCT north from Kellettville. The first 12 miles is typical NCT hiking with lots of little ups and downs (up the hill down the hill cross the stream up the hill down the hill cross the stream and so on). The last four miles starts fairly flat, and then ends with a gentle down hill slope into Triple fork camp at minister creek. This is where our days adventure will end.

Sunday: (3.3 miles)
HAPPY PASTEL BUNNIES AND SHIZZIE DAY!
Since we only have about 3.3 miles out to the cars. This is ideal as Christy needs to get back to CLE in time for family fun and I will need to um. Go home and do laundry or something. With that said, I would like to hit the trail no later than 10am so we can shuttle and head out. We will follow the western side of the minister creek loop out to the parking lot.


This trip is spirit friendly.

PS...ignore the other "bunny trip"...i clicked the wrong date, and i am TRYING to figure out how to delete it (first time i have scheduled a trip on this site yo.)

Organizer:	superhiker
Trip Date:	03/05/2010 - 03/07/2010
Total Miles:	12.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

I have asked for experienced hikers as this is a winter trip. There will probably be snow on the ground which will increase the challenge and may require snowshoes. Please note that you are responsible for your own safety. While Morrison is an easy place to hike in fair weather, the presence of snow and winter weather can make any hike a challenge.

With that disclaimer out there, I will describe the trip:

We will meet Friday night around 9:00'ish at the Morrison trailhead and hike in a little ways by headlamp to spend Friday night. Saturday, we will hike the main loop clockwise around past the campground to a site I like and regularly use in the winter about a mile or so upstream on Morrison Run from the reservoir. It is a nice, large site and should have plenty of downed wood this time of year. Saturday will be around 7 miles. Sunday, we will get up and finish the long loop (around 5 miles) back to the trailhead.

Let's carpool!

We can also discuss any gear sharing (stove, tarp, etc).

Organizer:	JonW
Trip Date:	04/15/2010 - 04/18/2010
Total Miles:	42.60
Pace:	2.12345
Difficulty Level:	This is a hard trail

I haven't hiked this trail in several years and feel like I want to get beat up.  Do you?

Drive to the trailhead Thursday evening after work.

Friday 16 miles
Saturday 15 miles
Sunday 12 miles

give or take.

There are many other postings on this site for this trail.  Please read them if you want to know more.

While this trail is difficult, there are many great views.

This is a 'hike on your own' trip.  We will not hike as a group.  If several have the same pace fine, but do not expect to hike as a group of six.  We will 'gather' at specified points along the way.  You need to have a map and be able to use it on the trail.

Any questions, give me a shout.

It is about a 5 hour drive from Cleveland.

We will follow LNT principles.

Carpooling is recommended.

Organizer:	Shark
Trip Date:	03/05/2010 - 03/07/2010
Total Miles:	15.00
Pace:	1.0 to 1.5
Difficulty Level:	High Moderate depending on conditions

Dolly Sods Winter Backpack (Attempt #3) - March 5-March 7, 2010

This is intended to be a WINTER BACKPACKING TRIP. A massive thaw, warming trend or rain forecast may cause me to cancel this trip (like Januray).

Attempt 1: Needed a Snorkle and Flippers
Attempt 2: Roads in Canaan Valley Closed due to 12' Drifts
Attempt 3: ?? We'll See

Meet at Timberline Ski Resort Parking Lot at 11:00 am.  We will depart by 11:30 am so give yourself plenty of time to get you gear assembled and any traffic/weather delays. We will each purchase a Single Trip Lift Ticket for a quick ride up to the top for only $7.00 (Thanks Tom). Late arrivals are on their own if they try to catch up and this is not recommended. If it is any easier to drive down the night before,  Canaan Valley State Park (and Lodge) is only 5 minutes away.  It is a really nice campground for winter camping with really warm bathrooms and nice showers.  Details below.

The trip will be fluid based on snow conditions and group ability. Mileages below are only approximate goals and will vary as we progress. I am very familiar with Dolly Sods as I have been exploring there since 2002. I have many, many campsites marked in my GPS although this won't matter near as much in the snow. Views, if not cloudy or foggy should be outstanding. If we are lucky, we may even hit Bear Rocks on a large circuit. As of Valentines Weekend, I have friends on the Roaring Plains Newsgroup who reported over 60" of snow at Mt. Storm Lake (just north of Dolly Sods).
 

Day 1, Friday, March 5, ~5 miles
Depart at 11:30 am sharp. Ride the Ski Lift up to the top of Timberline Ski Resort. We'll head north on Rocky Ridge Trail and trail/group conditions will determine when/where we will turn east. Hopefully, after about 5 miles, we'll stop for the night and make camp. Hopefully near a fork of Red Creek out of the wind and probably in a spruce stand to shield us from the seemingly everpresent wind.

Day 2, Saturday, March 6, ~6-7 miles
Break camp as early as we can as a group and continue on. Hopefully, if we are progressing well, I hope we can hit Bear Rocks and have a view to the east (weather pending) with a 2000 foot drop to the Potomac River below. No matter where we are, eventually we'll turn south and eventually hit the Red Creek Trail. My goal is to reach Lion's Head with one of the more spectacular views within Dolly Sods. There is also a very large (15'+) waterfall that should be frozen that we can visit either Saturday or Sunday.
 

Day 3, Sunday, March 7, ~4.5 miles

Break camp when we want to as this should be the shortest day with very little elevation gain to contend with. From Lion's Head, we'll follow Rocky Point Trail to Big Stonecoal Trail which ends at Timberline Ski Resort.

Camping Details at Canaan Valley State Park (CVSP)

                Sites cost $18.50 each (2009 price)

                Up to 2 tents per site

                Two vehicles per site (others must park in overflow)

                6 people per site ($3 extra per extra person)

                All sites have electric hookups

Some notes:

If you have never winter hiked before, please contact me before signing up.  This can be a good beginner trip if conditions are right but don’t rely on that.  Things can change rapidly at the elevations we will be at.  I typically average 2.0 mph (including breaks and photo ops) in the summer but snow hiking drops me to 1.0 to 1.5 mph and can be extremely taxing if you are not in shape.  Cramping is common since water intake is not as frequent and we are often “softer” in the winter.

Temperatures can fluctuate significantly throughout the day and there is always the seemingly ever present wind that can turn a minor problem into a major one in a hurry.  Appropriate gear is a must and correct layering is essential so that you do not sweat.  A good windbreaker with pit zips is one of the best items to hike in along with wind/rain paints (but some of the kilters may

Organizer:	superhiker
Trip Date:	02/19/2010 - 02/21/2010
Total Miles:	13.10
Pace:	2.5
Difficulty Level:	moderate depending on weather

Laurel Highlands is a point to point trail that, for the most part, stays on top of the Laurel Ridge.  This trip is mostly downhill. The trail is very hiker friendly and good for winter hiking beginners.  You can expect some nice vistas as we descend toward Seward into the river valleys and villages from the ridge.  This ridge does get weather.  It catches a lot of snow and significant amounts can fall in fairly short periods.  Camping is regulated to designated sites (costing $5/person/night).  These sites include 3 sided Adirondack style shelters with a stone fireplace, very fancy enclosed latrines complete with hand sanitizer, cut firewood, and potable water via hand pump.  I will plan on making reservations for shelters in the days leading up to the trip and collecting the fees from participants when we meet.  No pets please.
The trailheads are approximately 3 hours from Cleveland.   

Friday night after work we drive 2 vehicles to the PA 56 Seward trailhead lot leaving one vehicle there and taking a vehicle to the Rt. 271 parking area.  We will hike the few hundred yards by headlamp into the Rt. 271 shelters.  Saturday, we hike 8 miles to the Decker Ave. shelter area (plenty of mileage in heavy snow).  Sunday would be a 5.1 mile hike out to PA 56.   

You should be able to handle cold temps if you sign up for this hike.  Two feet of snow is on the ground and additional is forecast. You should have snowshoes. This ridge can very quickly accumulate significant snowfalls.  Please be prepared for this. 

We will plan on a rendezvous for Cleveland area participants at 6:30 PM Friday at a location to be determined.  There will be a secondary rendezvous at Tall Cedars restaurant at the SR 711 exit of Interstate 76 at approximately 9:15. 

As of right now, the 271 and Rt. 56 parking areas are not plowed. I anticipate that they will be for our hike. If they are not, we will not be able to do this particular trip and will line something else up. I have reserved one shelter. A shelter fits 4 (but is better with fewer). I have paid fees for 4 hikers for 2 nights. The next people that sign up will need to cough up $10 in camping fees to me. Additional participants (I will let you know) will need to reserve their own camping. There is another party apparently hiking an itinerary identical to ours. I do not know them. If we sleep in long enough, they should have the trail broken for us :). The water in the hand pumps at Rt. 271 and at PA 56 is not potable. There is potable water available at the Rt. 271 parking area. There is a reliable creek that runs right through the camping area at the PA 56 shelter area. Water can be obtained and treated from there.

Please contact me with any questions.

Organizer:	Trailhead
Trip Date:	09/22/2010 - 10/03/2010
Total Miles:	59.00
Pace:	1.75 - 2.0
Difficulty Level:	Many ups& downs, some steep

The Superior Hiking Trail travels Minnesota’s North shore of Lake Superior from Two Harbors to the Canadian border, a length of 205 miles, with an additional 70 miles of side trails and spurs. This is a hiking trail as motorized vehicles, mountain bikes, and horses are prohibited. It is designed as an 18 inch footpath set within a 4 foot clearing. For most of its length, the SHT is routed along the ridgeline overlooking Lake Superior. Panoramic overlooks of Lake Superior, the Sawtooth Mountains, and inland forests, lakes, and rivers are abundant. At many points, the trail follows river and creeks, showcasing waterfalls and rapids, bends and deep gorges. All rivers and streams are bridged. And at this time of year, the falls colors will be emerging. All trailheads are signed with mileages on the signs. The SHT is paint blazed with blue rectangles. Spur and overlook trails are white blazed. There are 81 backcountry campsites. Each campsite has 2-8 tent pads, a fire ring, and a backcountry latrine. Camping is only at designated campsites. Most all campsites are at or very near water. The entire Minnesota north shore area includes the territories or ranges of White-tail deer, Moose, Black Bear, Weasels, Beaver, Timber Wolf, Coyote, Lynx, Bobcat, and Mountain Lion.

We will hike a 51.1 mile section the SHT. Our hike will start at the northern border of Tettegouche State Park and conclude at Temperance River State Park. I also have a couple of day hikes that I’d like to squeeze in and one includes a gondola ride, rising over 1000 feet to the top of Moose Mountain which is the best vantage point from which to view the Sawtooth Mountains and Lake Superior’s dramatic coastline. Our second day in Minnesota will include the above mentioned day hike, and maybe another if time permits, and then the plan is to drop off all hikers, except the vehicle drivers, at Tettegouche State Park where we’ll spend the night, and then the drivers will take the cars to the hike’s end, leave the vehicles and return by shuttle. Shuttle pick up is at 1:58PM only, so we have to be there. There is a defined shuttle service covering the entire 205 mile trail. The plan is to drive to Minnesota using 2 vehicles.

Wednesday, Sep 22 – Meet at Perkins Restaurant in Middleburg Hts, 44130, 7175 Engle Rd, at 7:00A for breakfast. Drive to Lake Kegonsa State Park in Wisconsin for this night’s rest. Pack a lunch for today as we’ll not stop at a restaurant. 473 miles from Perkins to Lake Kegonsa State Park.

Thursday, Sep 23 – After a campers breakfast, drive to Tettegouche State Park in Minnesota and camp for the night. Pack a lunch for today as we’ll not stop at a restaurant. Suggest bringing a cooler and ice. 400 miles to Tettegouche State Park . We’ll buy 2 bundles of fire wood and enjoy an evening’s fire with libation. I’m planning on bringing hot dog sticks and hobo pie makers. We’ll buy food/fixins’ in town and have a great cookout over an open fire.

Friday, Sep 24 – After breakfast, camper style or at restaurant, we’ll drive to Lutsen Mountain Ski Resort and ride gondola to top of Moose Mountain.  From the top of Moose Mountain, we’ll hike 3.5 mile trail back to car. Drive south of Tettegouche State Park and visit Split Rock Lighthouse. Return to Tettegouche State Park and drop off hikers, drivers take cars to Temperance River State Park and leave them is designated parking area and then return to Tettegouche via shuttle. We have to be at shuttle pickup point by 1:50P CST. The shuttle only runs of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We’ll camp at Tettegouche again with another evening’s fire and libation.  Again, we can have a great cookout over an open fire.

Saturday, Sep 25 – 9.7 mile hike to Section 13 camp. 4 tent pads. There is no water at camp. There is water ½ mile before camp. Bring empty platypus to load up on water at this point. You will have an opportunity for water the next day at ½ mile after leaving camp. This section varies from easy, long stretches along contours to steep, scrambling ascents and descent. There are many open ledges affording beautiful views of both Lake Superior and its shoreline, and inland lakes, mountains and valleys. The trail winds through pockets of maples.

Sunday, Sep 26 -   8.5 mile hike to south Egg Lake camp. 4 tent pads. Water from lake. Today’s hike leads to some of the most impressive terrain on the SHT, including the high cliffs overlooking the Sawmill Creek and Baptism River valleys. There is an impressive boardwalk constructed over a beaver dam and a huge rock, known as an glacial erratic, that is over 20 feet tall. This section passes through excellent moose habitat.

Monday, Sep 27 – 6.1 mile hike to Blesner C

Organizer:	fairweather
Trip Date:	04/09/2010 - 04/11/2010
Total Miles:	19.30
Pace:	1.5
Difficulty Level:	Moderate for most strenuous for some

For this trip we will follow the NCT north out of Kellettville to the minister creek trailhead for a grand total of 19.3 miles.

Also we will need to set up a shuttle. Since the days will still be a little short I would like to accomplish this Friday night.

FRIDAY:
Meet at the Kellettville Army Corps of Engineers campground around 8PM. If you can’t make it until Saturday morning let me know and we can probably work something out. But we need to have enough people there Friday night to set up our shuttle. The campground office doesn’t open until April 16 so the campsites are free. You can get directions by typing N41.545010 W79.255796 into Google maps.

Saturday (16 miles)
We will start out following the NCT north from kellettville. The first 12 miles is typical NCT hiking with lots of little ups and downs (up the hill down the hill cross the stream up the hill down the hill cross the stream and so on). The last four miles starts fairly flat, and then ends with a gentle down hill slope into Triple fork camp at minister creek. This is where our days adventure will end.

Sunday: (3.3 miles)
Since we only have about 3.3 miles out to the cars. I plan on taking my time and having a nice slow morning. Whenever we’re ready to hit the trail we will follow the western side of the minister creek loop out to the parking lot.

I have GPX tracks for this trip. If you would like them send me an email and I'll send then to you.

Any questions let me know

HYOH
Chris/fairweather

Organizer:	mark f8
Trip Date:	01/30/2010 - 01/31/2010
Total Miles:	19.50
Pace:	2.0+
Difficulty Level:	Cold Weather/Wind/Snow

This is a cure for cabin fever, try out some new things trip. Racoon Creek State Park is a relatively close destination. The hiking trail is not particularly difficult, but there a couple of hills that will have you breathing hard. Depending upon conditions and the group, we will be able to hike either the entire 19.5 mile backpacking loop or half that with an out and back.

We'll be out in the elements for a little over 24 hours. The forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies, daytime highs in the low 20's and overnight in the low 10's. Steady winds are also forecast. Currently there is not precipitation forecast for Sat./Sun.

There is snow forecast for a couple of days this week, but nothing significant. Unlike some parts of western PA, the recent warm temps. have melted most of the snow in this area, so we shouldn't be walking or camping on a slab of ice.

There is a $5.00 fee per person for camping. There are shelters at the camping area. The shelters are enclosed on 3 sides so you'd probably want to bring a tarp(s) if you intend to stay in one. I'm planning on using a tent.

Potable water is supposed to be available at the camping area from a hand pump. I don't know if it will be frozen so I'm planning to carry all my water (3-4 liters.) There is a creek nearby but it may be frozen. Obviously the creek water would need to be treated and all those options present their own difficulties. Bottom line: PLAN ON CARRYING ALL YOUR WATER. So keep in mind how much you'll need and how to keep it from freezing.

We'll meet at the Racoon Creek State Park Office at 9:00 AM on Saturday, pay our fees, park our cars and hit the trail within the hour.

If you want to ask any questions or make any suggestions, send me an email and we can exchange phone numbers offsite.

I've rated the hike a 7 because of the water/cold weather situation. I may be able to find out more about the water before Saturday. Bringing the proper gear is a must and should result in a comfortable mid-winter get away.


A BIT MORE ABOUT THE PLAN

It is my intention to stay warm out there this weekend and I'd guess it's yours as well. The two best ways I know to do that are hiking and being in a good sleeping bag.

Ideally I'd like to hike at a moderate pace until 3:00 or 4:00, then set-up camp, gather firewood, cook supper, enjoy a small campfire and then bury myself in my sleeping bag until the sun comes up. It will be really cold in the morning, but the sooner we eat breakfast and get moving the faster we'll warm up.

Organizer:	Mr P
Trip Date:	08/07/2010 - 08/17/2010
Total Miles:	70.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	large elev. gain & loss - a few steep scary sectio

It is backpacking trip planning season again .. this for an August 7-17 trip in Olympic National Park.  The ultimate backpacking experience in ONP is the Bailey Range Traverse.  It is the trip that the park rangers do not want you to take … because they have many difficult and expensive rescues involving this route. Some involving unhurt novice who worked into a place they were too frightened or inexperienced to get out of.  Others are experienced backpackers who are injured on the hike.

If the weather cooperates, it is a battery-recharging unique wilderness experience.  If it is wet and cold it can be dangerous. My son and I did the more difficult north half (exiting via the tough Dodger Point route) in 2007, the weather started out wet but was really great after the first day. I’m addicted and want more Bailey Range. http://cwillett.imathas.com/local/bailey/index.html is a web site that post an account of a trip taken a month after Spencer and my trip. Excellent photos and description … but Willett & Mathas are mountaineers and gloss over the difficulty and danger of some sections. Another web posting is www.ronhayward.net  click mountain treks, open July 26 – August 1, 2007 (Bailey Range) taken a couple weeks before Spencer and I. The second website also has excellent photos and maps.  Both the above described trips started at Sol Duc, but this one will start at the Boulder Creek Trailhead (because it is a closer drop-off point for the support team and adds miles of breath taking landscapes to the hike).  The first web described trip ended at North Fork Quinault; the second at Whiskey Bend. This one will follow more of the Whiskey Bend exit but will end at Obstruction Point.   The end at Obstruction Point will add a couple days and a lot of elevation gain and loss, and more miles of inspiring landscapes and photogenic vistas (and blisters on top of the blisters).

The meeting point is the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal on Friday evening or Saturday morning.  That is also the point where you will be deposited for your return.  Getting to Bainbridge Island is easy.  Fly into SeaTac, take the light rail (on the other side of the parking garage from the terminal) from the airport to downtown, get off at the Pioneer Square stop (in the underground transit tunnel - the train announces the next station) and walk about 1/3 mile to the Seattle ferry terminal. Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island.  Last year the light rail fare was $2.50 and the ferry $6.00. For those who are interested in this trip I can provide an enlarged map of the route from the Pioneer Square stop to the Ferry Terminal. There is also public transit that can get you from Bainbridge to my son’s place near Quilcene, but it is a little tricky and hour-of-the-day dependent. So we will plan on meeting victims backpacking compadres at the Bainbridge ferry terminal. There is  public transit (buses) that meet most ferries and can transport you to the Poulsbo transit center and cut several miles from the trip to pick up participants. Flights from eastern U.S. arrive in Seattle late enough that making the last ferry (about 1:00 am) is iffy so that is why I am leaving Saturday morning open to finish assembling. If you arrive late there is shuttle service to all nearby hotels. For person signing up two phone numbers will be provided so you can contact the person picking you up at Bainbridge.

For those arriving Friday (or earlier) free tent sites are available on my son and daughter-in-law’s 26 acre wooded property.  Saturday morning we will start early, collect all missing participants at Bainbridge or Poulsbo, get last rites showers at the Port ($0.50) and travel to Port Angeles to get last minute supplies and backcountry permits, then to the Boulder Creek Trailhead (1800 feet elevation).  The first trail section is packed in midsummer because it has several hot spring pools and is easily accessible. But the traffic quickly thins out beyond the hot springs and I hope we can get to Appleton Pass (8 to 9 miles) by Saturday night.

Organizer:	JonW
Trip Date:	02/13/2010 - 02/14/2010
Total Miles:	12.00
Pace:	1.5
Difficulty Level:	Simple hiking, weather could be a challenge

Hickory Creek

This is my 3rd annual February foray into Hickory Creek.

Hickory Creek is Pennsylvania’s only “Wilderness” area.  I plan to penetrate the vast depths and risk the denizens native to the area.  Are YOU up to the challenge?  Are you ready to run from a skunk, chase away a porcupine, or hide from those squirrels and rabbits?  An involuntary shiver just went down my spine as I considered these grisly possibilities.

If so, read on.  Otherwise stop here lest your heart fail with too much stimulation.

-----------

I see that you are up to the ordeal – bully for you!

Seriously, this is winter and it will likely get cold.  You must have gear adequate to the conditions that will be encountered.  The terrain is easy, but the blazes are poor.  I may decide to do some off trail hiking.  You may need snowshoes.

If the forecast for Warren, PA calls for below -5* F then I may postpone or call this off.  If the weather forecast is for heavy rain with temperatures in the 30s/40s, I will either postpone or call it off.  If either happens, it will be a last minute decision.

If I don’t know you, don’t be insulted when you receive a message from me regarding your experience.

Pets/dogs  -  No
Alcohol - In moderation
Smoking - Away from others

As far as what gear to bring, there have been some excellent ‘lists’ on recent trips.

Day 1:

Drive to the new parking area for Hickory Creek.  See
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/recreation/hiking/hickry_ck_trail_realignment.pdf

Approximate Google Map link to new trailhead is:
http://www.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&z=14&ll=41.694578,-79.254513&spn=0.032942,0.05785&om=1

Zoom in and out to ‘see’ where this is.

It is possible (even likely) that this new parking area will be ‘plowed in’ and we will have to park at Hearts Content Recreation Area just south on Hearts Content Road.

Arrive by 9:30, we will have packs on and hit the trail by 10:00.  Just as an FYI, this is exactly what I did last year and someone showed up at 10:15 – the rest of us were gone.  Don’t be late.

If we park at Hearts Content then we will follow a power line to the trail, otherwise we will follow the new blazes to the old trail.  We will hike the trail in a clock-wise fashion.

We will camp along Jack’s Run.  If someone is familiar with Hickory Creek and knows a better place, I am certainly open to suggestions.

Set up camp.  Gather firewood, lots of firewood.  Start a camp fire.  Sit back, relax, and solve the problems of the world.

Day 2:

Get up, eat breakfast, and break camp.  Depending upon conditions, I may follow Jacks Run all the way up to its headwaters and beyond.  Then follow compass and GPS to either the trail or to the car.  Time will tell.  If conditions are not conducive I will just complete the circuit.  No lunch will be needed on Sunday as we should be out prior to noon.  Bring a little extra trail snack food in case we run a little late.

Drive home, refreshed.

--------------

Join the HCEF (Hickory Creek Expeditionary Force) and be all you can be!

Organizer:	Youngvine
Trip Date:	01/15/2010 - 01/17/2010
Total Miles:	28.00
Pace:	2.25
Difficulty Level:	Tough

I've completed an entire hike of PA from New York to Maryland on this trail, however, read below for all the skinny details.

It's been done before (thkx Superhiker)...in snow pushing cars uphill in the middle of the night...be prepared. Fair weather is a full go and that nasty 'wet weather' climb was tackled in a crazy snow storm. Vehicles = 4wd or AWD only. If we experience closed roads, then we'll have an alternate trip decided upon by the group. Email with questions.

Fair weather itinerary: We will plan to rendezvous in the Cleveland area and have a secondary rendezvous for any Pennsylvania participants. I'd like to reach our southern destination trailhead at Poe Paddy State Park on the evening of January 15th. We will leave a vehicle or two there and drive up to our northern trailhead at RB Winter State Park on PA 192. We would spend Friday night at a campsite about 3 km into the hike south of RB Winter State Park after night-hiking in. If there is +4" of snow on the ground with more expected, we need to discuss the alternate. This is for two reasons: accessibility by vehicle and character of the trail. Saturday would be about a 14.5 mile day and Sunday a 14 mile day depending on which southern trailhead we utilize. This hike will take us through a tunnel under Paddy Mt. There is an exceptionally nasty climb at about 19.97 km that the guidebook advises should not be tried in slippery or wet weather (we took it on last time, so read the trip log). There is a detour. There will be plenty of water available on this hike. I will need to discuss the southern trailhead with participants if the longer itinerary is utilized.

Snowy weather itinerary: Will be under discussion with attending group.

Please be prepared to contribute for gas, tolls, and other trip fees split amongst the attending group. We must have 2 cars to shuttle, because this is not a loop trail. If we have snow, have snowshoes and trekking poles available.

So what do you think? Feeling adventurous?

I am using the Mid-State Trail Association's 10th edition Guide to Mid State Trail in the Seven Mountains of PA and it's accompanying maps.

Please follow the Leave No Trace Principles.

Organizer:	fairweather
Trip Date:	02/06/2010 - 02/07/2010
Total Miles:	7.00
Pace:	1
Difficulty Level:	High Moderate

This is itinerary I plan on following. However depending on snow depth, and the pace of the group it may be necessary to slightly change our route.

SATURDAY:
We will meet at the Clear creek state park office at 10am Saturday morning. My plan is to start at the park office and follow the Clear Creek trail 3.2Miles to the Bear Town Rocks trail. We will than follow the BTR trail approximately 8 tenths of a mile up the hill to the rocks for the night.

SUNDAY:
In the morning we will follow the Trap Run trail for 2.5 miles back down the hill to the BTR trail. We will then follow the BTR trail approximately 1 mile back to the cars.


If you have never camped/backpacked in the snow before please let me know before the trip so I can make sure you have everything you need. Also I’m a bit of an equipment collector (pack rat) so if there is something you need chances are I have a spare that you can use. Let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

For directions to the park office the Lat/Lon is:
N41.322845 W79.076814

Organizer:	GT
Trip Date:	06/11/2010 - 06/13/2010
Total Miles:	18.53
Pace:	1.5
Difficulty Level:	easy

*****Trip Update****

We will be meeting at the Minister Creek Parking lot rather thean Hearts Content due to Hearts Content Rd being close for paving. We will leave cars here and start our hike as scheduled. We will also end the hike at Minister Creek parking lot. This will shorten day 3 by 3.5 miles.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.



Multi Night for Beginners

The past two years have had great trips. Many lessons learned from both old and new backpackers. Looking forwards to another great trip.

This trip will take place rain or shine, please be prepared.

Day 1. We will meet at the Hearts Content parking lot at 11:30 am and leave shuttle cars for trips end. We will then car pool to Henry Mills and begin our hike.

From the Henry Mills parking area we will hike about 6 miles on the North Country Trail to the North Country Trail shelter. This is pretty much an easy rolling trail with one steep climb right at the start. We will set up camp here for night 1. The shelter can sleep 4, but you should plan on a tent due to bugs.

Day 2. We will eat breakfast and break camp. No rush. We will follow the North Country Trail for another 6 miles to the Triple Forks camp area at Minister Creek. Another day of easy rolling trail. We will stop midway for a lunch along the trail, we will make camp at Minister creek for our second nights stay.

Day 3. Wake up and enjoy our final breakfast on the trail and break camp, continuing along the North Country Trail/Tanbark Trail for another 6.53 miles back to Hearts Content and the shuttle cars. We can grab the cars we left at Henry Mills and get lunch, or just all head home. We can decide that at the end.

This is an easy trail and should be a very enjoyable learning weekend for all.

I have 1 extra sleeping pad, 2 extra stove's, and 1 - 2 man tent, 1 solo tent, and an extra set of hiking poles.

As with all my trips, this trip is smoking/spirits friendly, within reason.

If you have any questions, please contact me. It is always better to ask in advance.

I ask that you also have a set of broken in hiking boots.

Organizer:	panaha
Trip Date:	03/26/2010 - 03/28/2010
Total Miles:	27.50
Pace:	2.0
Difficulty Level:	Strenuous

The trailhead is located west of Portsmouth, OH. Take SR 52 west of Portsmouth and turn right onto Shawnee Forest Drive (SR 125) The trailhead is on the left after Turkey Lake. It is approximately a 4.5 hour drive from Cleveland.

I would like to arrive at the trailhead by 11:00 am to begin hiking by 11:30. This will mean leaving Cleveland by around 6:30 AM Friday morning. Carpooling recommended.

The trail includes designated tent camping areas with latrines and clean water sources available via pump caches. It is a varied forest that recently has undergone big changes due to a winter 2003 ice storm. This storm, and the subsequent changes to the flora, has proven to be a boon to wildlife.

Trail conditions are universally described as strenuous, with a lot of steep ups and downs that are not softened by many switchbacks. Do not sign up for this trip if you are new to backpacking or are not physically ready for strenuous hiking terrain. The trail brochure recommends against wearing shorts due to greenbriers and stinging nettles. Camping is only allowed at the 7 designated backpack Camps. Water is available in storage cisterns or streams near all of the Camps; latrines are provided at each Camp. The main trail has orange blazes and side trails have white blazes. A PDF brochure and pretty nice map can be viewed at http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/portals/18/forests/pdf/shawneesf_backpk.pdf. The map page is more legible if printed on legal-size paper. Trail elevation ranges from about 600 feet (below the hill to Camp 3) to a bit more than 1200 feet with a lot of 300-foot ups and downs along the way. I rated this a 9 (Strenuous). If it rains the rating would be more like a 10.

Weather for the last week of March in 2009 per Weather Underground stats for the Shawnee RAWS – see http://www.wunderground.com/US/OH/Portsmouth.html - had a range of 30 to 47 degrees for the low temperatures and a range of 45 to 65 degrees for the high temperatures. So your gear should allow for comfort from 30 to 65 degrees at least. I hiked this trail last year and one night the temp dipped down to 28 degrees.

Day 1 - I'd like to hike the southern loop counter clockwise to Campsite 6, which is 9.5 miles from the trailhead.
Day 2 - Campsite 6 to Campsite 3, which is 12.8 miles of rugged terrain.
Day 3 - Campsite 3 across the connector and back to our cars, which is 5.3 miles.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Organizer:	Youngvine
Trip Date:	12/27/2009 - 12/31/2009
Total Miles:	77.00
Pace:	3.00
Difficulty Level:	9

Finally made a decision to take our Holiday break on a long trail that skirts the SC/NC/GA border. We are driving down to Clemson, SC on 12/26 and booked a one night stay at a local hotel. We've arranged a shuttle from Happy Trails Shuttle Services to meet us early the morning of 12/27 at Oconee State Park, which will be our ending point and where our rental car will await our return. He's going to drive us to Table Rock State Park and drop us off to begin our hike. The plan is to summit Table Rock and Sassafras Mountain, SC's tallest, the first day. From there on out, we're going to hike anywhere from 15 - 20 miles each day depending on camping, water, light and how we feel.

I've ordered the "Guide to the Foothills Trail" and accompanying map set from www.foothillstrail.org. I've also discussed the camping and water availability with local southern hikers. We should see plenty of wildlife, gorge preserves, Upper & Lower Whitewater Falls (highest in eastern US), monster suspension bridges and old growth forests in this stretch of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

December 2009 will have a 'blue moon' or a 2nd full moon in the month on New Years Eve, so we decided to party it up in downtown Greenville. Nevertheless, we hope for very dry sunny skies to soak it up all week!

Sorry for the last minute notice, but couldn't decide amongst all the trails across this gorgeous country!
Amanda/Kevin

Organizer:	Trailhead
Trip Date:	01/01/2010 - 01/03/2010
Total Miles:	19.10
Pace:	1.75
Difficulty Level:	low strenuous if lots of snow

This hike takes place in the Quehanna Wild Area located in the larger of two tracts of the Moshannon State Forest. The 75 mile loop Quehanna Trail (QT) is here and within this loop are two cross-connector trails and a large number of cross-country ski trails which are equally excellent for hiking. Our hike will be a combination of a portion of the QT loop, and a few ski trails. Total hiking mileage is 19.1 and, of that, 14.7 miles will be on the plateau where the walking is easy and elevation changes are minor. The remaining 4.4 miles will see us encounter one major ascent and one major descent that are somewhat rocky in a few places but they are not thigh-burning steep.. Elevation changes here will be in the 800-900 foot range. The inclines are not overly steep but you do need to be in reasonably good shape and nimble of foot while carrying your pack weight. All campsites are at or near water. All campsites are established and have a fire ring. All stream crossings are either bridged or can be crossed without getting your feet wet

There is wildlife here – bear, elk, deer, rattlesnakes, and porcupine. However, at this time of year, rattlesnakes will definitely be denned but the black bears may still be out, it depends on how cold December gets. Hunting season for Black Bear, Elk, and Wild Turkey is over for this trip’s dates, but deer season using Flintlock is in progress, 12/26-01/9. YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD BE WEARING ORANGE.

Trail Head Directions – I plan to arrive at the trail head at 9:30AM on Friday, New Year’s Day. Directions to the trail head from Cleveland: Take I-76/I-80 to Exit 101 in Pennsylvania, then turn left onto Rt 255 north. From this turn, it’s 16.1 miles until you will come to a Y intersection. Take the right leg (straight ahead) and you are now on Rt 555. Approximately 6.7 miles from the Y you come to Medix Run and you turn right onto the Quehanna Hwy. Travel 14.3 miles to Wykoff Road, a blacktop road on your left, but the trail head parking is immediately on your right.

Friday, 1/1 – 7.6 miles - Leaving the parking lot, we’ll cross the Q Hwy and begin our hike heading northeast on the blue blazed Wykoff Trail. At the intersection with the Big Spring Draft Trail and the Bailey Log Trail, we’ll turn left and head north on the Bailey Log Trail, again with blue blazes.  We’ll cross Wykoff Road and later a dirt logging road and then pick up the blue blazed Gore Cut Off and the Gore Trail. When Gore Trail intersects the Sanders Trail, we’ll turn left and head west on the blue blazed Sanders Trail. Eventually the Sanders Trail turns north and takes us to the intersection with the orange blazed Quehanna Trail. Here we turn left and follow the orange blazes down Sanders Draft. I find Sanders Draft to be the most scenic of the drafts in the Quehanna area with lots of cascades, small waterfalls, and Rhododendron. There are 3 or 4 stream crossings, but they can be done with our boots on. At the bottom of the draft, the trail follows Red Run Road for about 0.4 miles to our camp alongside Red Run.

Saturday, 1/2 – 9.2 miles – Leaving camp, we’ll walk north on Red Run Road until just before the bridge where we turn left and follow the orange blazes up Porcupine Draft. There are 4 stream crossings, but they can be done with our boots on. At the top of Porcupine Draft, we’ll intersect with the blue blazed East Cross Connector Trail. We’ll turn left and follow the ECC south. We’ll cross the Q Hwy, skirt around the Beaver Run Shallow Water Impoundment, and eventually come to the intersection with the blue blazed Crawford Dry Marsh Trail and the blue blazed Meeker Trail. Here we turn left (east), cross Meeker Run, and head a short way (300+ feet) up Meeker Trail to our camp on our right in the pines.

Sunday, 1/3 – 2.3 miles – Leaving camp, we’ll turn right and hike east on the Meeker Trail. At the intersection with the Red Run Trail, we’ll turn right onto the blue blazed Red Run Trail and follow it across Reactor Road where we’ll pick up the blue blazed David Lewis Trail which will take us to our trail head parking.

The trail head is on a state highway which is plowed when conditions warrant. There may be no snow on the trails or there may be lots of snow on the trails. I have snowshoes, so I plan to hike whatever the snow depth may be. I will call the state highway garage on 12/31 to check on snow depth and I’ll post my finding on the trip’s posting. I’ll only cancel this trip if my wife tells me I can’t go or if the weather is unseasonably warm and the forecast is for an all day type rain, so be sure to check the web one last time before you go out the door.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to post them or email me directly. I will email my cell to you. 
Please try to car pool if possible.  The trail head parking is very large – room for a dozen vehicles. It

Organizer:	Qi Wiz
Trip Date:	04/09/2011 - 05/08/2011
Total Miles:	270.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	8

I have for many years yearned to do a through-hike of either the AT or the PCT. I have realized that this is just not going to happen, at least for the next 5-7 years, because of the competing demands of family and work. So . . . this trip is a testing of the waters, as well as the first step in a possible goal of section-hiking the AT, as well as a taste of the through-hiker experience. I’ve chosen the length to suit the time I can free up; I’ve chosen the timing of my start to catch the tail-end of the northbound through-hiker class of 2011 so that the peak volume is avoided. This timing also helps avoid but does not eliminate the risk of running into nasty early Spring weather (eg. lots of snow in the Smokies in March).

I am posting the trip in case others would want to try this too. I’m assuming that this would allow for fellow yearners to share the cost of getting to Springer by shuttle from the Atlanta airport or a bus station, and potentially the same on our return to NEOH. I don’t assume any club members that want to join me at Springer will necessarily hike the same amount of time, hike at the same pace, stay at the same camping venues, visit or pass by the same trail towns, or finish what any of us set out to do – it’s just too unpredictable.

It’s about 270 miles from Springer Mountain GA (the southern AT terminus) to Hot Springs, NC (a trail town that the AT goes through, not that far from Asheville, NC). This section includes all of GA and all of the Smokies: some beautiful and challenging miles of trail. I figure that I can get from Springer to Hot Springs in three to four weeks, hiking at my usual pace. I’m including about a day a week for resupply, relaxation, or enjoying a break in town (or not). I’m therefore going to set aside 4 weeks to get to Springer, hike, and return to NEOH. I'm assuming that I might finish in less time, or possibly hike farther in the same time if I feel so inclined upon reaching Hot Springs. Who knows – there’s even a small chance that I might hate the trail experience and bail out at an earlier point – I make no promises. I’ve done 10 days on the trail and not had enough, but never 28.

*********************************************************************

12/30/09 UPDATE: I've been doing some additional research, which has given me some new ideas: If all goes well, it could take as little as 3 weeks to get to Hot Springs. If so, could probably get to Damascus VA (mile 463) in two more weeks, just in time for the probable Trail Days weekend celebration (usually the weekend after Mother's Day weekend). That would add interest to the hike as well as completing 3 states and more than a fifth of the total trail miles. This could then lead to a similar section hike each year for the next four years to complete the entire trail. Anyway, I'm now thinking seriously about trying to carve out 5 rather than 4 weeks to make this option possible. Interested parties, stay tuned.

******************************************************************

My detailed planning is a year or more away, but I’ve posted this trip now for others to consider in their long-range plans. Any interested parties should sign up or contact me and we can exchange ideas by email. We could also do some hiking together to see how compatible our hiking styles are or aren’t. Here are some ideas of how I would approach the experience: [1] go light to enjoy the hike more and experience less physical stress; [2] use a combination of mail drops and on/off-trail purchases for resupply; [3] cook meals and socialize a bit in shelters with other hikers, but then hike on a bit more and make camp elsewhere most of the time; [4] in good weather get up early and start hiking – have breakfast on the trail; [5] hike slower but for more hours per day than the average hiker; [6] take time to enjoy the beauty around you.

Organizer:	Qi Wiz
Trip Date:	03/19/2010 - 03/21/2010
Total Miles:	12.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	6

Want to learn more about how to reduce your impacts when you hit the trail? Want to learn how to teach these skills to others? If you answered yes to these questions, accept my invitation to become a Leave No Trace certified Trainer.

We will hike in the Hickory Creek Wilderness and all course participants will also become certified as LNT Trainers if they complete the course requirements (active participation in all learning sessions; prepare and give a talk on one of the seven principles). I picked this trail because there are no designated campsites (even though people have created some) so we'll be able to consider choices based on LNT principles and practice methods like advanced cathole digging, mound fire, etc. The cost covers LNT materials for each participant to keep and use in their future activities as a Trainer; also covers liability insurance required by LNT for me to offer the course. I hope to be able to again recruit EarsWideOpen to be my co-instructor on this course. He is also a LNT Master Educator, and he is our State LNT Advocate (for Ohio).

*** NB: if you signed up for the 9/09 Wildcat Hollow LNT course and paid your course fee and got materials from me but had to back out, you do not need to send another fee as long as you still have the materials I sent you. ***

If we head out Friday night and finish hiking Sunday afternoon, we should be able to do the coursework and enjoy the hike - what a great combination! More details follow below on the course curriculum and methods - email me with any questions you have. Our Friday night camp will be near the trailhead and I will supply directions so that you'll be able to find it even after dark if you have to, but those that can get there early enough will gather and leave the trailhead at 6 PM. We will return to the trailhead on or before 5 PM Sunday.

Hickory Creek Wilderness

The Hickory Creek Wilderness and the Allegheny Wilderness Islands are the only Congressionally designated wildernesses in Pennsylvania! It is a special area encompassing 8663 acres, which was intended to provide an "area where the earth and its community of life are untrammled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."

About the Wilderness: The Hickory Creek Wilderness is located on the Bradford Ranger District of Allegheny National Forest in Warren County, Pennsylvania. The gentle to moderate terrain is drained by East Hickory Creek and Middle Hickory Creek. Topography ranges from 1273 feet where East Hickory Creek exits the wilderness to 1900 feet on the plateau. There are no particularly steep slopes. Much of the area is heavily forested.

Finding the Wilderness: Parking is available at the picnic area within Hearts Content Scenic Area, 15 miles southwest of Warren, PA. Follow SR 3005 about 11 miles to its junction with marked Township Road 2002 which leads to Hearts Content Recreation Area (four miles).

Hiking the area: There is only one major designated hiking trail within the Hickory Creek Wilderness boundary. Hickory Creek Trail is a loop of about 12.1 miles situated in the middle of the area. The Hickory Creek Trail is used by backpackers and dayhikers. It is marked with yellow blazes that we are allowing to fade to return trail markings to wilderness standards. The trail is maintained to a primative standard, to provide a challenge to visitors.

The trails indicated in the Sierra Club book, "Allegheny National Forest Hiking Guide", listed as side loops, are not designated as formal hiking trails by the U.S. Forest Service, nor are they maintained.

Wildlife: Wildlife in the wilderness is typical of that found throughout the forest. Bear, deer and turkey are common. You should see pileated woodpeckers, hear the "who cooks for you-allll" plaintive hoots of barred owls at night, and be able to listen to the rustle of flying squirrels.

Vegetation: Northern hardwood is the predominant vegetation in the Hickory Creek Wilderness. It is characterized by black cherry and beech, with scattered hemlock and individual or clumps of oak, maple and birch. Abundant ferns are also present. Middle Hickory Creek flows through meadows studded with bogs and beaver ponds. Large white pine are scattered in open areas.

Regulations: National Forest wilderness is managed primarily to protect wilderness attributes for future generations, to preserve natural ecosystems, and to provide a wilderness experience. You will not find facilities for comfort or convenience.

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Here's more course details. Please read this if you sign up or are still wondering whether or not this experience is right for you.

Leave No Trace Trainer Course Detailed Info

"Plan Ahead and Prepare" is the first LNT principle. We are likely to have a diverse group with some experienced backpackers as well as some who are relatively new to backpacking but who have had other outdoor experiences and have a love of nature. Your preparation and active participation will make this a great course that will be memorable for all of us.

Things you need to know and do --

General Info:
-- To become a certified LNT Trainer, you have to take a Trainer Course and participate in all of the learning sessions, prepare and deliver a presentation on a LNT principle, and demonstrate behavior on the trail in accordance with LNT principles. Whether you qualify or not is up to me as your course instructors to certify to the National LNT office. My assumption is that all participants will qualify. In becoming a Trainer, you will certainly enhance your knowledge of LNT, but you will also learn different ways to teach LNT to others. As a Trainer, you will have to decide if you want to be listed on a public website as a Trainer or not (if you are listed, people may get in touch with you to teach them about LNT). There is no obligation to be listed.
-- While we will hike trails in Hickory Creek Wilderness during the course, an important focus of our activity will be the course content. This should not prevent us from enjoying our trek, and in fact is likely to enhance it as we learn from each other. It will mean that we may stop on the trail for impromptu LNT discussions of something we notice, or for a break during which one of you will present your principle to the group. We will have plenty of time for course content and enjoying the setting we're in.

My Credentials:
-- I can offer this course and certify you as a LNT "Trainer" because I am a LNT "Master Educator." As a Trainer, you can teach LNT "Awareness Sessions" of any length, but you cannot train Trainers unless you are a Master Educator. I took my first Trainer course in NE Ohio over a weekend in 2004. In 2005, I took a 6-day Trainer course at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico (was essentially a Master Educator course but was not certified as such by LNT). In 2008 I took a backpacking-emphasis Master Educator course in Oregon in the Cascades. My main focus has been on backpacking LNT, because that's what I do the most and know the most about from my own experience. I have some knowledge of LNT principl

Organizer:	Steve .none.
Trip Date:	01/09/2010 - 01/10/2010
Total Miles:	11.20
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Depends on snow depth

This is our annual kick off trip to a new hiking season and a nice way to complete your first winter trip. If you desire a quiet hike in the woods followed by solitude around the campfire do not sign up for this trip.

We will meet at the canoe launch near the Drake Well museum: 205 Museum Lane Titusville, PA. 16354. The canoe launch is on the right before you cross the bridge over Oil Creek.

The difficulty level of this trip is directly related to the amount of snow on the ground.  No snow the trip is easy; with lots of snow it can be very challenging.  Just ask the attendees from last year’s trip.

Park link: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/oilcreek.aspx

Day 1

Packs on at 10:00 am

Today’s hike is 6.7 miles with 3 climbs of varying difficulty. Highlights include Toy Run and overlooks of Oil Creek valley. Our destination for the night is Wolfkiel shelters. These are 3 sided shelters with stone fireplaces and the park provides the wood (wood might be in short supply). There is no water at the shelters. The last place to fill up is Wolfkiel Run. This is approximately 1/3 mile and a very steep climb from the shelters. Bring extra water containers so you can fill up for the night and the next morning.

Day 2

This is a 4.5-mile hike back to the cars.

The cost per shelter is $12.50.

Happy trails!

Steve

Organizer:	Trailhead
Trip Date:	01/15/2010 - 01/18/2010
Total Miles:	22.10
Pace:	1.75
Difficulty Level:	Moderate unless deep snow

You MUST have previous winter hiking experience.  You MUST know what its like to hike in deep snow with or without snowshoes and you MUST know what its like to spend your days and nights in sub-freezing temperatures.  You MUST have appropriate gear and clothing.

This hike takes place in the Quehanna Wild Area located in the larger of two tracts of the Moshannon State Forest. The 75 mile loop Quehanna Trail (QT) is here and within this loop are two cross-connector trails and a large number of cross-country ski trails which are equally excellent for hiking. Our hike will be a combination of a portion of the QT loop, and a few ski trails. Total hiking mileage is 22.1 and, of that, 18.8 miles will be on the plateau where the walking is easy and elevation changes are minor. The remaining 3.3 miles will see us encounter one major ascent and one major descent that are somewhat rocky in a several places but they are not thigh-burning steep.. Elevation changes here will be in the 800-900 foot range. The inclines are not overly steep but you do need to be in reasonably good shape and nimble of foot while carrying your pack weight. Snow on the trail will make these inclines more challenging. All campsites are at or near water. All campsites are established and have a fire ring. All stream crossings are either bridged or can be crossed without getting your feet wet

There is wildlife here – bear, elk, deer, rattlesnakes, and porcupine. However, at this time of year, rattlesnakes will definitely be denned and so will the bears. Deer, Elk, and Wild Turkey hunting season is over, but some birds and a variety of small game up to Bobcat size is in season on this trip’s dates. FOR YOUR SAFETY, YOU  SHOULD BE WEARING ORANGE.

Trail Head Directions –The plan is to car camp Friday night and do the hike Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. I plan to arrive at the trail head at 7:30PM on Friday, Jan 15. If you plan to arrive Friday night and can’t make 7:30 but instead will arrive later, that’s OK with me. I’ll be climbing into my bag very shortly after 9:30. Directions to the trail head from Cleveland: Take I-76/I-80 to Exit 101 in Pennsylvania. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left (north) onto State Rt 255. from the exit ramp, travel 16.1 miles to a Y intersection. Take the right leg (straight ahead) and you are now on State Rt 555. Approximately 6.7 miles from the Y you come to Medix Run and you turn right onto the Quehanna Hwy. Travel 14.3 miles to Wykoff Run Road, a black top road on your left.   Turn left and go about 5.2 miles to trail head parking on your right.

Friday, 1/15 – 0.1 miles - The trail to the camp heads southeast from the parking area and crosses a bridge over Wykoff Run and it’s about 0.1 (500 feet) miles to camp. You will come to a stream bed coming in from your left. It may be wet or dry. Either way, cross straight ahead to other side, this is where camp is. If you prefer to arrive Saturday morning instead, then you need to be at camp no later than 9:30AM.

Saturday, 1/16 – 8.3 miles - Leaving the camp, we will backtrack to the trail head, cross Wykoff Run Road and follow the Quehanna Trail (Orange blazed) up Laurel Draft. When we reach the top of the draft, we’ll continue on until we reach Hoover Road (dirt) at which point we’ll turn left and follow the road (which is now also Foley trail – blue blazed) for about ¼ and then watch for the double blue blaze marking our turn to the left and into the woods. Within 3 – 4 hundred yards we’ll pass under power lines and 300 yards after that we’ll cross a gas line. Next we’ll hike right on by a trail that goes off to our left (Sevinsky trail) and continue to the intersection with the Gore Trail. We’ll turn right onto Gore and ½ mile later we’ll go left at another trail intersection. Another 5/8 mile and we arrive at camp which is on our right, up a small rise and in a large grassy open field which used to be a grass airstrip 60 years ago.

Sunday, 1/17 – 9.0 miles – Leaving camp, we’ll turn left and backtrack to the trail intersection, turning left which puts us on the Sanders trail (blue blazed). In ¼ mile the trail takes us across Hoover Road (dirt) and approximately ½ mile later we’ll come to another trail intersection. The Sanders trail turns right but we want the Red Run Trail so continue straight ahead or bear left as the case may be. In about 1-1/4 mile we’ll come to Lincoln Road (dirt) and turn right and walk the road for 250-300 feet and then turn left, following the trail into the woods. In ½ mile the trail crosses the Quehanna Hwy. We need to turn left on the Hwy for 100 feet or so and then pick up the trail again. About o

Organizer:	fairweather
Trip Date:	11/28/2009 - 11/29/2009
Total Miles:	12.00
Pace:	1
Difficulty Level:	easy to moderate

For anyone who has never done the Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail. The trail is a 12 mile loop that makes it’s way through the Hickory Creek Wilderness Area. For the direction we will be traveling the trail will have a few small ups and downs with one steep descent about mid day Saturday. The trail is blazed and well worn but it’s not maintained so expect to step over logs and around blow down. Otherwise our hike will be on easy terrain.

Saturday:

Meet at the Hickory Creek trail head at 11:00 AM. We will hike the loop counter clockwise (approximately 7.5 miles), and camp at coon run.

Sunday:

We will continue along the loop counter clockwise, and follow the trail back out to the cars (approximately 5.5 miles).

This trip is sprits and smoker friendly. All I ask is that you please be reasonable, and considerate of others.

Also this trip is also open to kids, and pets but please let me know after you sign up.

thanks

Chris/fairweather

Organizer:	GT
Trip Date:	11/07/2009 - 11/08/2009
Total Miles:	8.00
Pace:	0.5-2
Difficulty Level:	Easy

I want to get one more trip in this year before my knee surgery that s scheduled for next week. Plan on meeting at the Minister Creek parking lot at 11 am. I plan on hiking in counter clockwise back to the big rock camp area, and finishing the trip the following morning.

Pets, smoking/spirit friendly.

Have a question, just drop me a line.

If the weather forecast changes to heavy rain I will cancel, dont want to chance slipping and doing more damage then I need to have reapaired at this point.

Organizer:	fairweather
Trip Date:	11/06/2009 - 11/08/2009
Total Miles:	6.00
Pace:	.5-2
Difficulty Level:	easy to moderate

This trip will be off trail. Although I plan on following the path of least resistance. We will undoubtedly encounter some rough terrain. Such as hillsides, rocks, brush, stream crossings ect. So please come prepared.

Friday evening we will hike up to the minister creek overlook and set up camp. I plan on hitting the trail at about 5PM. Most of us are familiar with minister creek and it is a easy trail to fallow. So if you can’t make it until later you can hike in on your own and meet us at camp. Just let me know what time to expect you.

Saturday/Sunday the basic plan is to head West from the overlook, and then slowly turn and loop back to the overlook. We may haul all our gear or we may slack pack and just use the overlook as a base camp. I’ll leave it up to the group to decide.

If you have any questions let me know.

Fairweather

Organizer:	superhiker
Trip Date:	11/13/2009 - 11/15/2009
Total Miles:	54.00
Pace:	3
Difficulty Level:	Challenging

See this web site for description of trail:  http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/hiking/keiper.aspx

This is the clear trail itinerary. If there is snow, we will be hiking the itinerary that follows.

This will be going through a very rough, but beautiful, section of Pennsylvania.  I plan on arriving at the trailhead parking on Route 144 Friday evening about 9:00.  This will allow us to hike into the junction of the east and west loops and set up camp near the intersection.  This is about a 2 mile hike. 

Saturday, I plan on hiking the entire 22 mile east loop with a daypack only.  I will leave camp set up serving as a basecamp and plan on camping again there Saturday night.  I plan on carrying lunch and snacks, water and water treatment, emergency items such as headlamp and first aid, and clothing. 

Sunday will be the same story.  The west loop is 30 miles.

You'll want to have some orange on for this. When Rob and I did this a few years ago, we each carried in a tent and I set up a tarp between them. We had a lot of rain but this set up allowed for some pretty deluxe camping.

For those experienced backpackers who have not fastpacked, the term does not refer to speed.  It is more of a mindset.  The hike is more about going very light and keeping on the move.  Breaks are very short and you try to maintain a pace all day long, not shoot out of the gate.  It provides the opportunity to see a ton in a very short time.  And, on the way, you get a lot of exercise.  The key is to go light and most people who are in good condition do not find the mileage to be that huge an issue.  I've set this up to do the 22 mile day first for the purpose of allowing anyone who decides 30 is too much for them after the 22 mile day to do something else on Sunday.  The area is crossed by many roads allowing different loop options and a variety of hikes of different lengths.  The trail does not offer many vistas.  However, if you like scenic drainages, waterfalls, rock formations, and wildlife, you'll enjoy this hike.  It is rugged.  The side cuts can wreak havoc on weak ankles.  Choose your footwear accordingly while keeping in mind that lighter shoes equal greater comfort for high mileage. 

If you have any questions about the trail, please contact me. 

I'll not be deterred by rain. However, snow will slow us down. So, if there is snow, we will be heading to southern Ohio to hike the 40 miles of Shawnee backpacking trail. We would drive down Friday night and hike the entire loop Saturday and Sunday. If there is snow there, we would utilize the cross connector to shorten the hike.

Organizer:	Trailhead
Trip Date:	11/06/2009 - 11/08/2009
Total Miles:	16.40
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Some downhill on rocky trail

This hike takes place in the Quehanna Wild Area located in the larger of two tracts of the Moshannon State Forest. The 75 mile loop Quehanna Trail (QT) is here and within this loop are two cross-connector trails and a large number of cross-country ski trails which are equally excellent for hiking. Our hike will be a combination of a portion of the QT loop, and a few ski trails. Total hiking mileage is 16.4 and, of that, 12 miles will be on the plateau where the walking is easy and elevation changes are minor. The remaining 4.4 miles will see us encounter one major ascent and one major descent that are somewhat rocky in a few places but they are not thigh-burning steep.. Elevation changes here will be in the 800-900 foot range. The inclines are not overly steep but you do need to be in reasonably good shape and nimble of foot while carrying your pack weight. All campsites are at or near water. All campsites are established and have a fire ring. All stream crossings are either bridged or can be crossed without getting your feet wet

There is wildlife here – bear, elk, deer, rattlesnakes, and porcupine. However, at this time of year, rattlesnakes will definitely be denned but the bears are still out and about. Deer and Black Bear hunting season is not in effect for this trip’s dates, but wild turkey season is in progress, 10/31-11/21 and Elk season ends on 11/7. YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD BE WEARING ORANGE.

Trail Head Directions –The plan is to car camp Friday night and do the hike Saturday and Sunday. I plan to arrive at the trail head at 7:30PM on Friday, 11/3. If you plan to arrive Friday night and can’t make 7:30 but instead will arrive later, that’s OK with me. I’ll be climbing into my bag very shortly after 9:30. Directions to the trail head from Cleveland: Take I-76/I-80 to Exit 101 in Pennsylvania, then take Rt 255 north. About ½ mile before coming to Weedville, you will come to a Y intersection. Take the right leg (straight ahead) and you are now on Rt 555. Approximately 5+ miles from the Y you come to Medix Run and you turn right onto the Quehanna Hwy. Travel 11.7 miles to Lincoln Road, a dirt forest road on your left.   There are actually two dirt roads that come to the Quehanna Hwy on your left and they are about 100 feet apart. You want the second road. The sign saying Lincoln Road is actually about 30-35 feet back from the Q Hwy, at night you have to turn left onto road to see it. Turn left and proceed just about 1/2 mile to a parking area on your left. The trail to the camp heads west from the parking area and its only about 400-500 feet to the camp on your left. If you prefer to arrive Saturday morning instead, then you need to be at camp no later than 9:30AM.

Saturday, 11/7 – 11.4 miles - Leaving the car camp on Lincoln Road, we’ll head south on Red Run (blue blazed) to Meeker, turn right onto Meeker (blue blazed) and follow it until it crosses Meeker Run on a short bridge. Just after the bridge, the trail splits into three directions. We will take the right most direction which puts us on the East Cross Connector trail (blue blazed). We will follow the ECC to the Beaver Run Shallow Water Impoundment and take a break here for lunch. After lunch, we’ll continue northward on the ECC, crossing the Quehanna Hwy, next passing the Teaberry Loop, and then meeting up with the orange blazed QT. We’ll turn right onto the QT and head down Porcupine Draft to the intersection with Red Run Road. Turning right onto the road, we walk the road for several hundred feet to our camp on the left along side Red Run stream.

Sunday, 11/8 – 5.0 miles – The plan is to hike out early and drive to a Perkins restaurant in DuBois for a hearty late breakfast. Leaving camp, we’ll walk up the road for about ¼ mile and then turn left onto the orange blazed QT once again, cross a bridge over Red Run, and begin our ascent up Sanders Draft. I find this to be the most scenic of the drafts in the Quehanna area. Lots of cascades, small waterfalls, and Rhododendron. Upon reaching the plateau, we’ll turn right onto Sanders trail (blue blazed) and follow it to the intersection with Red Run trail. We’ll proceed right onto Red Run trail (blue blazed) and take it back to trail head. There may be snow on the trails at this time of year, so I will be calling ahead to check trail conditions. If there’s 8 inches or less of snow on the trail, we’ll still hike. If snow exists, your boots should be GoreTex lined to prevent wet feet from snow melt through. If the weather for the weekend appears threatening – a high probability of heavy thunder showers or less intense but all-day rain – the trip will be cancelled, so be sure to check the web one last time before you go out the door.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to post them or email me directly. I will email my cell to you. 
Please try to car pool if possible.  The trail head pa

Organizer:	Youngvine
Trip Date:	11/26/2009 - 11/29/2009
Total Miles:	25.00
Pace:	2.0
Difficulty Level:

Catskills – “Devils Path” for a Thanksgiving Dessert

ADK - Catskill Trails 3rd Edition. Map 41

This trail has been named by many as the hardest trail in the east and was feared by Native Americans and then later by European explorers. Charles Lanman, a mid 1800’s painter said, “It is the loneliest and most awful corner of the world that I have ever seen – none other, I fancy, could make a man feel more utterly desolate. It is the type of valley of the shadow of death; in single file did we pass through it and in single file must we pass to the grave.” Thankfully, I personally think it’s by far the most rugged, yet beautiful, trails I’ve tackled in my short stint as a backpacker.

Whoever decides to take on the 14,000+ feet of elevation gain/loss over the 25 mile distance will surely be impressed and humbled. We’ll begin our journey by shuttling the 8 hours across PA and into southern NY on Thanksgiving Day. A few years back, we rendezvoused at a local Hampton Inn in Kingston for the night and set out driving cars to the shuttle points early on Friday morning. We can do this again, and I’d be happy to make the arrangements. Devils Tombstone campground is closed, and I don’t remember the trailheads being an easy camping spot or legal. We could consider night hiking to a local lean-to if all were interested.

Day 1 – drop a car at the western terminus at Spruceton Road (see below). Then we drive the 30+ miles to Prediger Road to drop our other car and begin the hike. In 2005, 6 hikers did this same process in the pouring rain. We’ll need to be conscious of possible snow/ice road closings this late in the year. Secondly, we have limited daylight hours (9h20min), so being on time is key. Sunrise is around 7 am and sunset at 4:30 pm, so getting on the trail on time that first day is imperative.

Hike – we will start at Prediger Road (1573’) at the eastern terminus. Plan is to hike 9 miles to the Mink Hollow Lean-to. The trail crosses Indian Head (3573’), Twin (3640’) and Sugarloaf (3800’) Mountains and descends through at least 3 lemon squeezers. Descents vary but expect 500 – 1500’ of elevation change in between the mountains. At MH Lean-to, we’ll have water access and be approximately 2.4 miles from Mink Hollow Road. I’ll be bringing my tarp as a back-up shelter, since the spot only holds 8.

Day 2 will traverse 8.7 miles and begin by climbing up to Plateau Mountain (3840’) from around 1240’ in the Mink Hollow Notch. We’ll descend another 1500’ into Stony Clove and cross Route 214 near Devil’s Tombstone Campground (water/lunch). We ascend again up Hunter Mountain (3550’) and reach the Devils Acre Lean-To. A few more little ups and downs, then a big 1200’ drop to Diamond Notch Falls. We can camp in here near the waterfall at 8.7 miles for the day or hike .5 miles south on the Diamond Notch trail to a Lean-to. Weather may make this decision easier.

Day 3 will begin moderately flat and then ascend steeply to a cave (rest/bad weather shelter) and then up again to West Kill Mountain (3500+/-‘) to Buck Ridge Lookout. If we have clear skies, this is an amazing viewpoint of all the mountains we’ve crossed to our SW and a great northern viewpoint to the Blackhead range. Varying grades of trail follow from mile 19 – 22. One long upgrade through Mink Hollow and finally down through a virgin hemlock forest to Spruceton Road .

My itinerary and information has been provided by the ADK Catskills Trail 3rd Edition Guide and map 41 (northern Catskills), in addition to, previous trip notes from 2006 and friendly reminds from a local hiker/friend.

WARNING – This trip is rugged and wicked hard. If you want to see our 2006 trip profile and/or photos, please email me. The trip will be limited to 6 people maximum and my pre-approval is required. There will be absolutely no smokers allowed. Attendees will split all gas/food/hotel/tolls/etc and plan on sharing gear. There are times when you need to remove your pack to get up/down the trail. Yaktrax or similar low crampons will be a must, unless we get freakishly warm weather. And I wouldn’t dare venture out this way without hiking poles. You end up not using them on the way up, because you need your barn hands, but they are a lifesaver on the way down.

Driving Routes –
Western Terminus
-Take exit 19 of the New York State Thruway (Interstate 87), follow signs for Rt. 28 west.

-once on 28 west, travel 27.6 miles

-turn right onto Ny 42 and follow for 7.3 miles

-turn right onto Spruceton Road and the parking area/trailhead will be on the right in 3.7 miles

-Quickest route for Eastern Terminus (seasonal)

From exit 20 on the New York State Thruway (I-87), go west on Rt 212 for 2 miles then turn right onto CR 35 (Blue Mountain Road) and travel for 1.4 Mi. Bear left to continue on CR 35 for .2 Mi.
Stay straight here and the road becomes CR 33 (Saugerties Rd.) and continue for 4.8 Mi. (becomes CR 16, Platte Clove Rd.)
Turn left onto Prediger Road and go to the end of the road.

NOTE: Parking is only allowed on the right (northwest) side of the road. Please observe all signs as the first few hundred yards of the trail cross private property. The landowners are very generous to allow foot travel on their land.
CR 33 and CR 16 on the way to this trailhead is a skinny cliffside twisting road that is not maintained from Nov. 1st through April 15. If there is any chance of ice or slippery conditions DO NOT TAKE THIS ROAD.

-Year round (maintained route)

From exit 20 on the New York State Thruway (I-87) go north on route 32 foot 5.7 Mi. then bear left onto Rt 32a and travel 1.8 Mi.
Turn left onto Rt 23a and go 6.9 Mi., traveling through the town of Tannersville. From Tannersville Center go left onto Railroad Ave. (Cr 16) (follow signs for Cr 16 as the road names change) eventually Cr 16 becomes Platte Clove Rd. Total travel on Cr 16 is 5.6 mi. At this point, turn right onto Prediger Road and follow directions above.

Organizer:	Mark
Trip Date:	10/24/2009 - 10/25/2009
Total Miles:	12.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Easy

Ain't never been clockwise, gonna have to fix that...

We’ll hike the Hickory Creek loop clockwise with stop for lunch at Coon run and camp at Jack's Run. About 7 miles for the day. Sunday morning we'll head up the hill and hike about 5 miles back to the cars.

Beginners welcome. Pets welcome. Downwind smokers welcome. Adult beverages welcome. Leave the children home.

Trip will go regardless of weather. Please be prepared for cold and wet conditions but hope for a couple of clear, crisp fall days! I'll be bringing my dog if the weather is good.

Please meet me at the (new) trailhead, ready to hike at 11:00am.

Organizer:	fairweather
Trip Date:	10/10/2009 - 10/11/2009
Total Miles:	11.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Easy

I just found out I have the weekend free so I thought I get in quick overnighter.

This will be a typical Hickory creek Trip. Meet at the trailhead at 11:00am. We’ll hike the loop clockwise stop for lunch at Coon run, and then jacks run to camp for the night. In the morning we’ll finish off the rest of the loop.

Saturday about 7 miles
Sunday about 5 miles

Coordinates for the trailhead are N 41.698453 W79.252484

This trip is suitable for beginners. But please be prepared for the cold, and the possibility of getting wet.

Any questions let me know.

fairweather

Organizer:	hclayton
Trip Date:	01/01/2010 - 01/02/2010
Total Miles:	8.00
Pace:	.5-2 Group Set
Difficulty Level:	Weather will decide

I am posting this trip, But there will be other experienced members of the club with me to HELP!!!!!.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE EXPERIENCED CLUB MEMBERS THAT ARE HELPING ON THIS TRIP!!!!

If you are new to backpacking or have never been backpacking in the winter and would like to get your feet "Wet" in the not so popular season of snow/ice/cold this trip is for you. I am going to have experienced members in winter backpacking on this trip and I/we will guide you on the winter backpacking experience. Each non-winter packer will be assigned a "Guide/ mentor" that has said that they are willing to help with the winter backpacking experience with you. I am ONLY ALLOWING WAITING LIST SIGN-UPS so that anyone that is interested in winter packing can be "interviewed" to make sure they understand the RISKS involved. I don't want to leave anyone out, BUT I don't want to have someone on the trip that does not understand the WINTER BACKPACKING RISKS.

Trip plan: Clockwise route around loop. Camp night one at triple forks then complete loop back to cars. This is all Dependant on what Mother Nature give us.


If anyone in the club that has winter backpacking experience that I have not contacted would like to HELP with the beginners I would like your help. Sign up and send me a message that you are willing to mentor a non-experienced winter packer. This trip is not for you if you are not willing to HELP out the beginner.
************************* UPDATE ********************
SNOW SHOE Questions: We will decide with weather. They may be needed.
Start Time: at this time I am thinking 11:00am at the trail head.

I am adding this link for a file that has a lot of GREAT winter backpacking tips. The trip is different so some of the information in the file is no good to us, But the winter preparation and gear is great. Thank you to Patsquach for creating this file. :)
http://www.neohbackpackingclub.com/datafiles/LHTWarmUpWarmUp10-19-06.pdf

Organizer:	superhiker
Trip Date:	10/02/2009 - 10/05/2009
Total Miles:	28.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Most of ti moderate - some difficult

Trailhead is located here: 



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http://www.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=&hl=en&geocode=&mra=mr&safe=on&ie=UTF8&ll=41.506316,-76.821765&spn=0.001633,0.003476&z=19
It takes approximately 5 hours from Cleveland to get to the trailhead at Masten.

Here is the plan.  Friday after work leave Cleveland and drive either to the trailhead or to a campground along the way to spend Friday night. There is reservable camping at the old Masten townsite at the trailhead.

The general plan (completely open to adjustment based on weather or good times) will be to hike counter clockwise from Masten We're going to want to get at least 10 miles in. There is a good campsite near the top of Doe Run. We will have at least one unbridged stream crossing. The streams could be pretty high with all this rain. Water access will not be an issue. I'd like to get at least another 10 miles on Sunday in order to keep Monday's hike reasonable and get out for the drive back at a reasonable hour.

Pets are welcome as long as they are under control, not a threat to other people's gear or food and no danger or stress to wildlife.

If we have time and favorable weather, it may be fun to explore JonW's option here:

Bushwhack west along Rock Run.  This is purportedly one of the prettiest streams in Pennsylvania and I have wanted to see it for some time.  I expect this portion of the trip to be fairly difficult as there will be no trail.  We may have to cross Rock Run numerous times.  There is a ‘rock house’ constructed in one of the walls of Rock Run.

Organizer:	JonW
Trip Date:	11/20/2009 - 11/22/2009
Total Miles:	16.00
Pace:	2.0
Difficulty Level:	Relatively easy

The Elk Trail is just north of the Quehanna Trail System in central Pennsylvania.  It is not hiked very often so we may have to search for some blazes.  The Elk Trail is about 16 miles and the hike goes through actual elk grazing grounds – hopefully we will see some.  We will be driving over Friday after work and staying at the Hicks Run Camping Area.  This area is free and is located very near the trailhead.

 A kind member of NEOH informed me that the blazes have recently been changed from orange to yellow.

 This is an end-to-end hike, therefore we will need a minimum of two vehicles for a vehicle shuttle. 

 Carpooling will be encouraged.  Sharing these costs will also be encouraged.  Once the trip's roster is set, then the carpooling arrangements will be firmed up.  I will send out details early the week of November 9^th.

The estimate of $50 includes all gas, tolls, food, , etc. over and back, and is just that, an estimate.

I will be eating at a restaurant on the way over and back.

The hike is now ‘dog friendly’.  What I mean by that is that if you have a well behaved dog, you are welcome to bring it.  You must let me know that you plan to bring a dog.  You will be responsible from any/all damage caused by your dog.  Remember we will be hiking in areas that will have porcupines and skunks.  You must keep your dog under close control.  If it is raining, you should probably reconsider bringing a dog – nothing like dog water shaken into your evening meal!  (having dogs along will make logistics slightly more difficult)

For those interested, I will provide a pdf copy of the trail – let me know.  (they are good)

Do not plan using a fire to cook with.  I do not know what, if any, campsites/fire pits are available along the trail.  I will not be building a fire pit.  (LNT and all that!)  If we come to a campsite at the appropriate time and a fire pit is available, we will likely have a fire.

Organizer:	Patsquach
Trip Date:	10/09/2009 - 10/11/2009
Total Miles:	14.00
Pace:	2.0
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

This is one of my favorite short trips and it more than justifies the long drive to get there. Figure about 4.5 hours from Pittsburgh or Cleveland. We will be hiking the eastern end of the Loyalsock Trail through Worlds End State Park (WESP). The peak of the foliage seems to be earlier this year and I am trying to hit it “just right”. I think we have a good chance of seeing some serious fruity pebbles.

This is a 14 mile intermediate backpack. We will flop down late Friday night at the finish point and drive over to the start on Saturday morning. At the beginning of the trip we can actually dayhike up to our first vista and then grab our packs after doubling back through the park and climbing the opposite ridge to the second vista. The mileage adds up to about 4 miles without packs and 8 miles with packs on Saturday and an easy 2 miles with packs on Sunday.

This is one of my favorite areas of the state and I have been trying to hit the foliage peak there for a while. The mileage is short but we will experience some nice boulder stream trail, 2 great vistas, a couple waterfalls and very nice lakeside campsite.

The plan is to drive to where Rock Run Road crosses the Loyalsock Creek and camp Friday night. There are spots to pitch a tent within 200 yards of the parking area at this location. The following AM we would shuttle folks 5 miles down the road into Worlds End State Park. The exact hiking route follows the Mineral Springs connector trail from the WESP office parking lot south and then climbs on a switchback up to the Loyalsock Canyon Vista. From the first vista will we descend on the Loyalsock Trail proper back down to the Creek and then back to the parking lot to grab our packs. Once again leaving from the WESP office parking lot we will head north on the Loyalsock Trail and climb along High Rock Run to the High Rock Vista. From there we will level out and backpack through level to rolling terrain east to our camp on the shores of Sones Pond. On Sunday we will proceed south from Sones Pond and descend back to the vehicle at Rock Run Road.

We will meet at Luigi’s Ristorante (32 N Brady Street in DuBois, PA 15801) at 8:30 PM on Friday October 9th. If you are traveling from the Pittsburgh area, let me know and we can arrange a carpool of sorts if we have more than 2 vehicles. We will dine and mix in DuBois before heading out to Laporte, PA.

From the restaurant we will proceed on I-80 east to Exit 178 and then follow Route 220 past Williamsport to Laporte, PA. Once we pass Laporte we will turn left onto Route 154 and proceed 1.8 miles to Rock Run Road (on the right). Turn right onto Rock Run Road and proceed 0.75 miles to a truss bridge over Loyalsock Creek. Parking is on the left hand side (west) near the trail gate on the southern edge of the creek. Campsites are along the creek in this area.


The guidebook/map set for the Loyalsock Trail is available from the Alpine Club of Williamsport at http://www.lycoming.org/alpine/Index.htm

Organizer:	Patsquach
Trip Date:	11/27/2009 - 11/29/2009
Total Miles:	18.00
Pace:	2.5
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

Please read the whole post before signing up!! This year I am collecting the shelter fees and a shuttle service fee in advance. The Fifth Annual Winter Warm-Up is closer than you think! I would call it “Fit Annual” but then I get all the editing emails, blah, blah, blah. This is an 18-Mile Backpack on the Laurel Highlands Trail from the Route 653 shelter area to the southern end of the trail in Ohiopyle. This is the last weekend before deer season! Blaze orange is Pennsylvania cool, but not required by law at this time. This is a good trip for those wishing to make a go at winter backpacking. The difficulty of the route will depend on the amount of snow present. Plan on zero to 12 inches of snow. There are a couple moderate to challenging climbs on the second day also – depending upon your level of preparation. Be prepared!

Check out the trip logs for details on past outings on this fantastic winter trail. I would like as many people as possible to attend, but please keep in mind that this is still a moderate trip with the potential for a challenge if we should see serious accumulation of snow. If we should get totally blasted with the white stuff, we will change our shuttle and make it a shorter trip – but I do not intend to do that unless we get a ton of snow. Based on the large numbers from previous years, our troop could tromp out a good path and make a go at it in well up to a foot of snow (taking turns breaking trail).

Litolpea’s 2008 journal is here: http://litolpea.livejournal.com/501011.html
We’ll figure out how to pool photos for a bigger album this year! I’ve just been lazy.

The 2007 album is here: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/561733074CJaUIh
The 2006 album is here: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/556353036zzZAbv
The 2005 album is here: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/522877287mXSQJZ

The helpful hints for winter trips can be downloaded here: http://www.neohbackpackingclub.com/datafiles/LHTWarmUpWarmUp10-19-06.pdf

The snowcam can be found here (in season): http://www.paccsa.org/webcam.htm

We will utilize available shelters with 4 person occupancy (with winter gear). This year we will start and end at Ohiopyle, PA by utilizing a paid shuttle service. Rally at the Falls City Pub http://www.fallscitypub.com/Contact.htm before the shuttle and after the hike for a meal (around 1 PM on Sunday). The shuttle leaves at 9 PM from the Pub on November 27th.

***YOU MUST CARRY IN YOUR WATER FOR FRIDAY NIGHT AND SAT MORNING (COFFEE N@). THE WELL WATER IS NO GOOD AT THE CAMPSITE. WE CAN DRAW WATER FROM A STREAM WITHIN 1/2 MILE FROM CAMP ONCE WE START HIKING ON SATURDAY. SATURDAY NIGHT WE WILL HAVE WATER FROM THE STREAM OR THE PUMP AT OHIOPYLE. BRING EXTRA FUEL TO BOIL WATER AS YOUR FILTER CAN BREAK IF IT FREEZES. ELSE BRING A WRAP OF SOME SORT (INSULATION) TO KEEP YOUR FILTER FROM FREEZING. ******

This year I am collecting a $20.00 non-refundable deposit to cover the shelter fees and the shuttle service. Anything left in excess will be used to bribe the constabulary (just kidding). Seriously, I intend to refund any excess to the attendees so that this is not considered a “profit making venture”. My only interest here is making sure that we can reserve the shuttle and cover the shelter reservations (they have already been paid for by fellow club members) without incurring additional personal cost due to unforeseeable changes in attendance. Apart from that you will have to trust me.

If you are signed up, but I have not received your deposit by November 6th – your name will be removed from the list so that space can be made for others who wish to attend.

You can send payment through PayPal to my email which is pdroberts19@hotmail.com
I tried to create the nice button to make it easy but it did not work out. You will have to go to the PayPal website to make the payment. https://cms.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=marketing_us/send_money

or send check or money order payable to:
Patrick Roberts
120 Earl Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15204-1811

Let me know if you have any questions. Please refer all smart comments and complaints to Rob.

Organizer:	Patsquach
Trip Date:	09/24/2009 - 09/26/2009
Total Miles:	24.00
Pace:	2.5
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

OK, first things first –

“kids will be joining this trip and the same applies to pets, or guests” and;

Kids, pets and their pet’s guests may engage in smoking and excessive use of alcohol, but not on this trip. You are responsible for your own moderation.

And I am totally stealing this killer write-up from Shark with only minor modifications.  Thanks Eric! Please note that there are bears, bear hunting dogs, and potentially harsh mountain weather involved with this trip. Other than that we will have a deliriously good time!

September 24^th-26^th Thu.- Sat. Roaring Plains – Canyon Rim Backpack.  Explore and witness spectacular, remote, rocky and seldom visited high elevation country.  Be prepared for freezing temps at night and weather extremes. Despite high elevation, climbs are gradual (except at the end of day 2). With the cooler temps (hopefully), some firepit cooking may be fun to do for a change of pace. I also hope to have dinner on top of Haystack Knob on Friday night (weather permitting) while waiting for the sunset
Total 23.3 miles (with packs) plus some exploring/water gathering mileage.

Day 1, Thursday, September 24^th, 6.2 miles, +834 ft, -383 ft (Yellow Trace):
Meet at the South Prong Trailhead Parking Area (the upper/eastern one) (UTM 17S  642,140mE  4,313,431mN) at 11:00am. We will head out on the South Prong Trail (TR517). We may stop for a few views along the way that are off trail if the weather is good. After 2.25 miles, we’ll turn to the south on the unofficial Hidden Passage Trail. There is some water at this location if needed. We’ll follow this trail to the Pipeline and a beautiful overlook for lunch overlooking Roaring Canyon (about 1.6 miles). From the overlook, we will make our way around the rim of Roaring Canyon (there is a small patch of ramps along the way). When we cross Roaring Creek, we will gather enough water for dinner and the next morning. We will carry the water for 0.84 miles to camp. Bring an extra container if you plan to use a lot in camp. This will take about 4-5 hours with the stops and lunch along the way. Camping will be tight at this site. If you can share with someone else for this night, it will be easier on us.

Day 2, Friday, September 25^th, 6.6 miles, +935 ft, -915 ft (Blue Trace):
We will break camp around 9:00 am or so and follow the unofficial Canyon Rim Trail. There are a number of blow-downs along this stretch and we will clear a few. Following it north east, we will see several nice views (weather pending) and eventually cross a large bolder field. There is sometimes water just past the field but if it is dry, we may have to hike further for it.  After a total of 2.4 miles, we will join the Roaring Plains Trail (548). We will follow it for only 0.6 miles before turning left onto an old RR grade near the Stone Hunter’s Blind. Generally, there are several “seeps” of water along this grade. We will stay on this grade (slightly downhill and brushy in places) until the steep 400’ climb at the end to reach our camp. Since we have found a water source near camp, we WILL NOT have to carry our water up the climb this year. Along the way, we’ll probably grab a light lunch near a shaded small creek (sometimes dry, sometimes running). It should take about 4-5 hours to reach camp. Upon arrival, we will set up camp in the field to the west of Haystack Knob either on the edge of the meadow edge in the trees.

Day 3, Saturday, September 26^th, 10.5 miles, +1016 ft, -1506 ft (Blue Overlap and Purple Trace):
We will break camp around 9:00 am or so and backtrack the previous day’s hike to the Canyon Rim Junction (about 4.3 miles) grabbing water along the way. We will stay on the Roaring Plains Trail (548) back to the pipeline. From the pipeline, we can grab some additional water from the South Prong of Red Creek. We will follow Forest Road 70 for 3.5 miles back to the trailhead. We should only be on the trail for about 4-5 hours reaching the cars in time to have a late lunch or head into Davis or Thomas for food.

Additional Information.

This itinerary is nearly identical to Shark’s first real backpacking experience. I have had the pleasure of following this route with him and can attest to its demands. Due to the boulder field and remoteness of the trails, I would prefer that everyone have at least some experience in backpacking and be in good shape. Please contact me i

Organizer:	Phil
Trip Date:	10/23/2009 - 10/25/2009
Total Miles:	15.55
Pace:	1-2
Difficulty Level:	4

Most of the leaves will be on the ground but still a great and not so difficult fall hike.

Even though a rating of 4 falls in the easy category please be aware at this time of year the temperatures could range from the 60’s during the day and drop to the high 20’s at night. Please bring clothes and a sleeping bag that can handle these temps. We could even get snow.

The 1st two days are easy. Mostly down hill the 1st and some small grades on the 2nd. The 3rd day, on our way out, we will climb from 1328 ft to 2245 ft in 3 to 4 hours. This is an easy climb for some but just putting it out there.

Also to be noted, we will be there during hunting season. I’m not sure which animals are being hunted. To make sure it’s not backpackers please wear bright colored clothes or orange vest and pack cover.

Done with the disclaimers on with the trip.

See the Tracy Ridge Hiking Trail System map for the trail number locations and hiking distances.

1st Day – 4.74 mi
Meet at trailhead at 11 am. We will hit the trail at 11:30 sharp.
Trail Head - 1
1-2
2-15
15-14 detour to some vista's
14-13
13-12
12-11
We will camp the 1st night at the North Branch campsite. Not a designated campsite it still offers many options to pitch a tent and fire rings.

2nd Day – 4.6 mi
This will be along the Allegany Reservoir on the North Country Trail.
11-10
10-9 Handsome Lake
9-8
8-Hopewell
We will camp the 2nd night at the Handsome Lake campsite or push on to Hopewell if we don't feel like stopping. They're listed as primitive but on the Internet I see they have picnic tables.

3rd Day – 6.21 mi
The hike out.
Hopewell-8
8-6
6-5
5-4
4-1
1-Trail Head
This will be the most mileage with most of the day up hill. We can stop as needed but push to the trailhead. If we hit the trail no later then 8 am we should be at the trailhead by noon.

The slower pace and fewer miles will give us time to enjoy views and do a little photography.

Here is a Google Maps link to the Tracy Ridge trailhead from Cleveland. Adjust it for your location.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Cleveland,+OH&daddr=Tracy+Ridge+Rec+Area&hl=en&geocode=%3BFRUAgAIdHJRM-w&mra=ls&sll=41.941984,-78.868339&sspn=0.007773,0.015557&ie=UTF8&z=8

Organizer:	Bellalyra
Trip Date:	09/04/2010 - 09/06/2010
Total Miles:	8.00
Pace:	.5-2 Group Set
Difficulty Level:	Easy

The Max Members is for tent sites!! If you and another person that sign up will be sharing a tent PLEASE let me know that so others can join us!!!!!

Most trips to Minister Creek are an overnight, But this will be two nights. Provide your own food, but SEE Day Notes below!!!!!

Day 1: Approx: 4+ miles. Hike from parking area to Triple Forks Area, We will be camping at the area that is designated as Camp on the GPS file on the NEOH Minister Creek file. There is plenty of water available where we will be camping, you just need to filter or purify it. With whatever you bring for supper I will be making Small Red Baked Potatoes and Biscuits (one each per member)

Day 2: Approx: 3- miles. I will bake muffins to go along with breakfast you bring. Again, 1 per member. Hike from Camp site to the overlook. This is the hardest part of the trail in my opinion, but will not be bad since when we get to the overlook and find campsite we are done for the day, but we may need to hike to get water as none is available at the overlook.

Day 3: Approx: 1+ Miles. Hike from overlook back to cars. Short downhill.

We will meet at the Minister Creek parking lot at 10:00, and hit the trail by 10:30.

This trip is spirits, pet and smoking(legal materials only!) friendly. If you have any questions please drop me a line at 330-294-8750.

PLEASE NOTE: Kids may be welcome on this trip with my prior approval. Please contact me if you wish to have a child you wish to attend the trip with you. Note: I will have waiver forms available for you to sign for the child. You must also have legal documents for the child showing you are parent or guardian.
I will also email all signed up members letting everyone know if a child will be on trip.

Anyone that is attending this trip should know that if you have a pet that you want to bring it is OK, BUT, the pet is your responsibility I would hope that us pet owners know that. My pets attending the trip are a AKC German Shepard and AKC Welsh Corgi

Also:
If anyone has any trail baking methods they use please contact me. I would like to make this trip a learning trip for all. I will be using foil wrap for the potatoes, reflector oven and steaming for the biscuits and muffins.

Pictures of one of my backing methods at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hclayton326/Baking#

Organizer:	hclayton
Trip Date:	05/29/2010 - 05/30/2010
Total Miles:	8.00
Pace:	.5-2 Group Set
Difficulty Level:	Easy

The Max Members is for tent sites!! If you and another person that sign up will be sharing a tent PLEASE let me know that so others can join us!!!!!

Most trips to Minister Creek are an overnight, But this will be two nights. Provide your own food, but SEE Day Notes below!!!!!

Day 1: Approx: 4+ miles. Hike from parking area to Triple Forks Area, We will be camping at the area that is designated as Camp on the GPS file on the NEOH Minister Creek file. There is plenty of water available where we will be camping, you just need to filter or purify it. With whatever you bring for supper I will be making Small Red Baked Potatoes and Biscuits (one each per member)

Day 2: Approx: 3- miles. I will bake muffins to go along with breakfast you bring. Again, 1 per member. Hike from Camp site to the overlook. This is the hardest part of the trail in my opinion, but will not be bad since when we get to the overlook and find campsite we are done for the day, but we may need to hike to get water as none is available at the overlook.

Day 3: Approx: 1+ Miles. Hike from overlook back to cars. Short downhill.

We will meet at the Minister Creek parking lot at 10:00, and hit the trail by 10:30.

This trip is spirits, pet and smoking(legal materials only!) friendly. If you have any questions please drop me a line at 330-294-8750.

Anyone that is attending this trip should know that if you have a pet that you want to bring it is OK, BUT, the pet is your responsibility I would hope that us pet owners know that. My pets attending the trip are a AKC German Shepard and AKC Welsh Corgi.

PLEASE NOTE: Kids may be welcome on this trip with my prior approval. Please contact me if you have a child you wish to attend the trip with you. Note: I will have waiver forms available for you to sign for the child. You must also have legal documents for the child showing you are the parent or legal guardian.
I will also email all signed up members letting everyone know if a child will be on trip.

Also:
If anyone has any trail baking methods they use please contact me. I would like to make this trip a learning trip for all. I will be using foil wrap for the potatoes and steaming for the biscuits and muffins.

Pictures of one of my backing methods at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hclayton326/Baking#

Organizer:	Trailhead
Trip Date:	10/02/2009 - 10/05/2009
Total Miles:	27.00
Pace:	2.00
Difficulty Level:	High Moderate

Trailhead:  Adirondack Loj (near Heart Lake and Mt. Jo)

Nearest Town: Lake Placid

Map:  Topo 742 Lake Placid/High Peaks

Directions (From Lake Placid): Continue on Highway 86 through the town of Lake Placid. Turn onto NY-73, which only heads southeast of Lake Placid. You will pass the airport and Olympic jumping complex as you head southeast on NY-73 for 3.3 miles. About a mile from the jumping complex is Adirondack Loj Road, turn right (south) onto Adirondack Loj Road. Head south on Adirondack Loj Road for 4.4 miles to the Adirondack Loj.  Trailhead is on the east side of the parking lot.

Logistics: Need to be at trailhead before 3pm. Bear canisters are required and can be rented from the Loj at $10 for 4 days. Parking is $9.00 per night at the Loj. Free parking is available at South Meadows trailhead about a mile up the road (parking along side of road), and would make for a shorter last day, though longer first. We could arrange to shuttle people and work something out if we wanted to cut costs. Although there are designated shelters in the area, there locations are not convenient to the planned route, so we'll be tent camping all 3 nights.  Meeting times and locations will be discussed for carpooling and/or caravan.

Route Info:  Length:  27 miles

(Friday: 3 miles) Begin hiking to arrive at camp before dark, about 3 miles. Located on the north side of Algonquin Peak and Wright Peak @ about 3500’.  It’s a designated off trail high camp.

(Saturday: 7 miles) Head south on trail to summit Algonquin, and descend to Lake Colden. Heading Southeast up Feldspar brook to the base of Mt. Marcy near Lake Tear of the Clouds.

(Sunday 10-15 miles) Head northeast to summit Mt. Marcy (5344ft). Continue NE from summit along ridge to summit Basin, Saddleback, Gothics, and Wolfjaw. From Upper Wolfjaw we will head Northwest off of the ridgeline to find camp around or past the area of Johns Brooks Lodge and Interior Outpost.

(Monday 2-7 miles) Continue Hiking Northwest to trailhead.

This trail system offers many options for changes if needed.
Water is available at all campsites.
Be prepared for cool weather at this time of year, and at the higher elevations it's possible to run into snow.

I leave on 9/18 for my Grand Canyon trip and will return on 9/28. I won't be able to check the web until I return. If you sign up for this trip and are interested in carpooling (I live in Canton, OH) post your message below before 9/18, otherwise I'll address carpooling when I return. There is the possibility we may be able to drive to Erie, PA on thursday night and camp in order to shorten our drive on Friday but that is not firm yet.

Organizer:	Bearanoia
Trip Date:	10/24/2009 - 10/25/2009
Total Miles:	20.00
Pace:	1.5
Difficulty Level:	Fairly easy

The CVNPA (Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association) has made five camp sites available in the CVNP (Cuyahoga Valley National Park) behind the Stanford Hostel for people doing long trips thru the valley. Since this is a bit different than the backcountry there is a lot to be read before signing up for this trip!

Map: http://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Trail types: We will be hiking on many different types of trail; here is the gamut of what to expect: Horse trail, hiking trail, tow path, bushwhacking, streets, sidewalks.
Given this variety and the possibility of seeing many people, we might not want to look/smell like backpackers to the fullest!

The proposed hike: Start at the Hunt Farm Visitor Information Center right across the street from Szalay's Farm. From there we will head east on the Valley Bridal Trail and follow along Akron-Peninsula road. There are a number of hikes to be had further east including Kendall Lake and Virginia Kendall Park. I though we could side track here for some sight seeing; I know a way back that cuts through the Boy Scout camp and puts us at the Pine Hill Trail head with ease. We can fill out the day in Boston Mills by visiting the canal museum and (if they are open) Trail Mix and the art gallery. Depending on our energy and time we can do a loop I know to Blue Hen and Buttermilk Falls. The Hostel is close by to Boston Mills.

Sunday we hike out and down the tow path some; sorry, (there is no other good way to go!) to Peninsula where we can see the sights there. To get back we'll take a Western route thru Tree Farm, a detour through the woods (bushwhacking) to Oak Hill, pass through the Environmental Education Center, down the hill to Covered Bridge and back east on the Valley trail to our trail head. We can explore any of these regions further at our will.

I've hiked this loop before: its a long one to do in a single day, but if we take our time and start early I think it will be very enjoyable.

The campsites are behind Stanford Hostel, each site has a food hook and picnic table. A community fire ring and free firewood are available for campers. There is a portapot for our use as well. There is no water! We'll have to get some from Boston Mills for the second day.

I've reserved two campsites for us at a cost of $15 each. The fee for the trip will depend on how many people sign up....

The rule for the site is to have two tents max, with four people per site max. Sign up will be first come first serve basis; ***Please let me know if you have a two person tent!*** The more people with two person tents we have the more people can come on the trip.

For right now, the Max Members is limited to 4 for the reasons above, I'll make room for more as two person tents allow!

I only have a single person tent; this is my formal request to share a tent with someone! ;p

I will have further information soon; times and more: I'm waiting for information in the mail from the CVNPA.

Organizer:	JoeCan
Trip Date:	09/12/2009 - 09/13/2009
Total Miles:	9.70
Pace:	0 to 2
Difficulty Level:	Easy

 We'll all meetup at the Minister Creek Parking area at 11:30am,  Carpool/Shuttle up to Hearts Content, On the trail by 12:30, Day 1, 6.1 miles, Using Tom's Run Trail to linkup with the Tanbark Trail, Down to the North Counrty Trail at Dunham Siding,
Staying on the North Country Trail to Minister Creek Triple forks area for the night.
Day 1 is a nice easy gradual down hill day..

Day 2, 3.6 miles,  Sunday is also a nice easy day hiking back to the Minister Creek trailhead, (I'm planning on doing the east trail of Minister Creek to hike out on.)    Back at the Minister Creek TrailHead by 12:00, Shuttle up to Hearts Content to get the cars, Off to the Subway, Or Home, Or ??

Organizer:	Storymaker
Trip Date:	09/18/2009 - 09/20/2009
Total Miles:	22.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	moderate

My hope is that this trip will bring together a second group of adventure seekers to explore Dolly Sods on this particular weekend.  Group #1 will be hiking the Circumnavigation route described on the Mid-Atlantic Hikes website(http://www.midatlantichikes.com/dst.htm).  To avoid any possible conflict in campsites this hike will reverse that route in a manner described below with some variation.  Overall this will be an exciting hike that will ultimately explore the best of what Dolly Sods has to offer.  I have hiked in this area several times before and it really does offer that "alternate environment" feeling that the wilderness is famous for.  I will be consulting with Mike, the man in charge of the Mid-Atlantics site, who is very knowledgeable on this area.  I have my Monongahela hiking experience to draw from as well as my trusty GPS to help us along the way.  

Trip Details: 


Meet at the Trail Head at 1:00pm, Packs on by 1:30 pm.  We will park in the Bear Rocks Parking Area off of FR 75

Trialhead Directions:  http://www.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=sTOW,+OH&daddr=%2B39%C2%B0+3'+57.24%22,+-79%C2%B0+18'+6.12%22+(39.065900,+-79.301700)&geocode=%3BFSwZVAIdvPNF-w&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=40.497092,-80.650635&sspn=2.911344,4.707642&ie=UTF8&ll=40.11246,-80.30584&spn=2.927995,4.707642&z=8

Day 1.  Follow Circunavigation Route to Camp in the Triple Forks site (5.43 Miles)
Day 2   Follow Red Creek to Rocky Point Trail, Possibly have Lunch at Lions Head, Continue onto Big            Stonecoal TR.  Take Blackbird Knob Trail to day 2 campsite. (8.5 Miles)
Day 3.  Follow Harman Tr to Rocky Ridge, RavenRidge Tr.  Take Bear Rocks Trail back to the parking area. (7.8 Miles)
I will be posting additional details on the hike and directions to the Trail head.
 If you have any questions please send me an email or give me a call at 330-219-5528.
Phil (Storymaker)  
 

Organizer:	Dwight
Trip Date:	10/16/2009 - 10/18/2009
Total Miles:	24.00
Pace:	1-2 hour
Difficulty Level:	moderate

This spectacular fall hike I hiked this last fall. plenty of scenic vistas of panoramic fall color!

Here are the trip details worked out so far. Meet at the northern trailhead at 11am ish(off 28/11). Carpool to southern trailhead located off route 33. Along the way we will need to drop off a water cache at the midpoint of the trail this trail is mostly ridgeline.Once we begin hiking we can plan how many miles we will cover each day. Finish the hike and carpool back to southern terminus Sunday afternoon.We may want to leave a car with real food at the mid point.Well see. More details later.Dwight

A map can be downloaded at www.wvhighlands.org/Pages/

Organizer:	canteen boy
Trip Date:	10/23/2009 - 10/25/2009
Total Miles:	24.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	moderate

We would leave Friday night after work and probably stay at a campground down near Seneca Rocks on that night.  We will need at least two cars to do a shuttle.  We will cache water about halfway down the trail.  I guess there is a road that goes there.  I don't know how rough it is.

We would walk about 12 - 14 miles on Saturday and the rest on Sunday.  This is a very popular trail.  There are some prior posts and trip logs on the sight that describe it.  It should be very scenic.

Organizer:	canteen boy
Trip Date:	10/15/2009 - 10/18/2009
Total Miles:	54.00
Pace:
Difficulty Level:	moderately strenuous

I tried to organize this earlier in the year, but it didn't work out.  The hike should be even better this time of year, though.

This trip would include most of the West Rim Trail and a section of the Mid-State Trail from Blackwell to Little Pine State Park that has been described as remote and wild.  I think it will be an excellent route with vistas and, I believe, a couple of waterfalls.  Superhiker did a description of a similar hike and a trip report.  It is called Mid-State Section One. 

It will be a point to point hike so we need to set up a shuttle.  I spoke to a guy at Pine Creek Outfitters, located at Ansonia.  He said he would have somebody drive our vehicle down to Little Pine for $90 so that is an option.  Obviously, I would rather not pay somebody $90 to drive my car so it would be great if we could take two cars and do our own shuttle.

We would leave after work on Thursday and return on Sunday.

Please note we will be hiking about 18 miles per day on pretty rugged and strenuous trail.

Organizer:	yojiness
Trip Date:	09/18/2009 - 09/20/2009
Total Miles:	22.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	moderate

Planning a two-nighter in the Sods - details to come after I return form the Smokies next weekend. This trip will be about 24 miles, hopefully include some berry picking and lots of scenery. Open to any suggestions - its been a long time since I've hiked this area. Would love to have someone with a gps join us :)

This group and the other Dolly Sods group will be hiking together due to some cancellations.

Joy  

Organizer:	Aaron
Trip Date:	08/15/2009 - 08/16/2009
Total Miles:	7.30
Pace:	2.5
Difficulty Level:	moderate - easy

Steve had a good idea, lets go to minister creek and clean it up, so if you want to join our working trip please signup and bring with you a few heavy duty trash bags. we will meet at the trailhead at 9:30AM, we will hike in the 3.5 miles setup camp and clean up some sites.

Day 1 Saturday:
Meet at the trail head 9:30am, we will hike counter clock wise for about 3.5 miles.

Day 2 Sunday:
hike trash out to cars.

Please drop me a note with any questions you may have. 

Directions to Trail head:

View Larger Map

Organizer:	fairweather
Trip Date:	08/15/2009 - 08/16/2009
Total Miles:	6.00
Pace:	.5
Difficulty Level:	Easy

This will be my kids (2 and 4) second backpacking trip. After a recent question posted about trips for little kids I decided I would post it as a club trip Although this trip is intended for parents and their children because of the short mileage it is also perfect for beginners. So I’m leaving it open for anyone to join. Just be ready for our blistering fast pace of 0.5MPH. Also we will be required to stop and thoroughly examine every mud puddle, pile of rocks, steam crossing, pretty flower, bug, chipmunk, spider web, bird, red EFT, or any other thing that can distract a young child’s mind. So be prepared for sudden and frequent stops.

We will meet at the parking area next to the park office Saturday August 15 at 11:30am.
From there we will head SE along the Beartown Rocks Trail for about one mile. At this point we turn SW and head down the Trap Run Trail. After about 3/4 of a mile we will stop to search for a Geocache. After the cache we will continue along the trial for about 2 miles until we rejoin the Beartown Rocks Trail. Depending on the size of our group we will either make camp near here or head about 2/10 of a mile up the trail and camp closer to the rocks. After we make camp we can go explor the rocks, and search for another Geocache.

In the morning we have a 1.8 mile easy down hill hike to the cars.

For direction the park office address is:

Clear Creek State Park
38 Clear Creek State Park Road
Sigel, PA 15860-9502

Or if you prefer the Lat/Long is:

N41.322477 W79.077398

You can view a map here:

http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr24/CMR_photo/maps/ClearCreek08-07-09copy-1.jpg

You can also download the PDF here:

http://www.savefile.com/files/2175420

Organizer:	Steve .none.
Trip Date:	08/01/2009 - 08/02/2009
Total Miles:	27.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

Trailhead: take Route 62, 9.1 miles north of Tidioute, PA.  There is a small parking lot on the left side of the road.   We will hit the trail at 9:00am since this is a fairly long hike.

We plan to hike the Tanbark trail to Hearts Content to Tom’s Run Loop to North Country into Minister Creek and camp for the night.  The Tanbark trail is one of the best trails in Allegheny National Forest: nice rock formations, numerous streams and not very many people. 

Sunday we will backtrack but might make a change to see a different part of hearts Content.

Organizer:	yojiness
Trip Date:	08/21/2009 - 08/23/2009
Total Miles:	18.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	moderate

 This two-night trip is one of if not the best backpacking loops in the entire park! First, hike along the lower reaches of Gabes Mountain, passing Henwallow Falls, and enter virgin woodland to camp at Sugar Cove. Then head up the Maddron Bald Trail to Albright Grove, which contains some of the park's largest trees. Camp along a resonant high country creek near Maddron Bald, which sports awe-inspiring views...

This is the beginning of the description of this hike from trails.com

We will hike starting Friday and ending on Sunday. I will post more specific details after I see who is interested in joining me. Should be a good time!

Organizer:	GT
Trip Date:	07/25/2009 - 07/26/2009
Total Miles:	14.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	3

We will meet at the trail head at 11:30 for this summer trip. I plan to hike clock wise and camp along Jacks Run, with a break for a snack at Coons Run. We will spend (if mother nature lets us) an evening of laughs around the fire!
Sunday morning we will have breakfast and break camp, returning to the cars and head home.
This is an enjoyable trip for both seasoned backpackers as well as beginners!. The trail follows old rails and rolling hills, nothing hard.

As with all my trips, this trip is smoking/spirits friendly

Saturday - 7 Miles
Sunday - 7 Miles

If you have any questions please email me.

Organizer:	Bearanoia
Trip Date:	08/07/2009 - 08/09/2009
Total Miles:	29.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Medium to Advanced

This is my first posted trip on NEOBPC, let me know if it needs anything I missed!

I have been to Dolly Sods once before, and recall that the weather can be unpredictable, and that gaiters are a must. I also advise bring warm clothes as Dolly Sods is mountain like in its geography.

The mileage and pace are set approximately, as I'd like to explore the inner parts of the trail system, I'm looking at parts of TR521, 526, 509, 511 and 514.

I will be traveling with a fellow member, we have room for one other person should you like to car pool.

Here are directions to the trail head:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=akron+ohio&daddr=39.6252415,-79.9881691+to:Public+Road+75,+Davis,+Tucker,+West+Virginia+26260&geocode=%3BFRmiXAIdN3o7-ykfSNCbDHw1iDGwem0i-2wlEw%3BFTJJUwIddapF-w&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=40.078071,-80.354004&sspn=2.870604,5.438232&ie=UTF8&ll=40.065461,-80.343018&spn=2.871136,5.438232&z=8&via=1

The trip is about 5 and 1/2 hours. I plan on leaving at 7am, arrive between 1 and 1:15pm, trail head departure time is 1:30pm sharp!
I will share my phone number to whoever joins the trip in case there are problems in-route, I'm not aware of cell reception in the backpacking area.

PS- This is "Akrontrumpeter"

Organizer:	Aaron
Trip Date:	09/26/2009 - 09/27/2009
Total Miles:	12.00
Pace:	up 2 u
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

This is our 5th Annual Apple Trip.

This trip is open to the entire club, Morrison is an organized camp site, there are pit toilets, and many camp sites. Each site has a fee of $10 payable when you get there. It is possible to fit 1-3 tents on each site, so the fee could be split up.

The plan is to meet at the camp site any time you want to get there. Since we are a very large group, I would not want all of us to march in at the same time. There are 3 trails leading to the camping area, 2 of them are 5.5 miles and one is about 4 miles. Some members are going to kayak in.

This trip like all other trips is for members only, you must be signed up to join.

The camping area has many apple trees ready to pick and eat at this time of year. Bring some kind of a recipe and don’t forget the apple peeler.

Contact me for more details. If you have never been there and you want to hike in with me, please call me or send me an email to coordinate the logistics.

Directions to the trailhead:


View Larger Map

Organizer:	Leann
Trip Date:	09/04/2009 - 09/13/2009
Total Miles:	84.00
Pace:	2.5
Difficulty Level:	moderate

Our plan is to fly out and arrive in Portland, Oregon on Friday, September 4th. We will stay in a hotel outside of Portland and start backpacking on the Timberline Trail (around Mount Hood) on Saturday. Our current plan is to hike the 42 mile loop in 4 days and be out on Tuesday.
We will stay in a hotel Tuesday night possibly in Redmond, Oregon, resupply and backpack about 40 miles on the Pacific Crest trail through the Three Sisters Wilderness area until Saturday. We will stay in a hotel near the Portland airport on Saturday night and fly home on Sunday. We also hope to get a permit to see the Obsidian Cliffs in the southern portion of Three Sisters. 
A more detailed plan is in the making.  
If you are an experienced backpacker and are seriously interested in the trip, you can e-mail Steve or me for further discussion.
The $1000.00 cost is an estimate of the hotel, rental car, air fare and meals and may vary significantly.
 
 

Organizer:	GreenBoonie
Trip Date:	08/14/2009 - 08/15/2009
Total Miles:	7.00
Pace:	1-2
Difficulty Level:	Easy-Moderate

This will be a quick overnighter at Minister Creek with most of the hiking in the evening and the early morning to avoid the midday heat. We will hike a total of 7 miles, with 1,030 feet of elevation gain. The trailhead for Minister Creek is on PA 666 between the villages of Truemans and Porkey. I plan on being at the trail head parking lot by 6:30pm Friday. If you want to come out later just head up to the overlook area.

Organizer:	Arizona Arz
Trip Date:	06/27/2009 - 06/28/2009
Total Miles:	12.00
Pace:	1.5
Difficulty Level:	easy

Organizer:	staph79
Trip Date:	07/23/2009 - 07/26/2009
Total Miles:	35.00
Pace:	2.0
Difficulty Level:	Difficult

The hike will pass through a high elevation portion of the park. Highlights will include excellent views, old fire lookouts, and old growth forest.

Park Trail Map: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/upload/Trail%20map%2008.pdf

Thursday July 23rd:

Depart the Chestnut Branch Trailhead (near the big creek ranger station) at 9:00AM. Upon leaving the trailhead we will begin the long climb toward Mount Cammerer and the Cosby Knob Shelter (night one camp) along the way intersecting with the Appalachian Trail. The long climb will end at the Cosby Knob shelter at 8.2 miles with a total elevation gain of approximately 3500 feet. An optional side trip to the Mount Cammerer Fire Lookout, which provides fantastic views in all directions will add a total of 1.2 miles to the hike.

Friday July 24th

We will leave the Cosby Knob Shelter and continue southbound on the AT toward Mt Guyot the second highest peak in the park. The second nights campsite will be at the Tri-Corner Knob Shelter at the intersection of the AT and the Balsam Mountain Trail (7.6 miles)

Saturday July 25th

Depart the Tri-Corner Knob Shelter and head east on the Balsam Mountain Trail. The trail for most of the day will remain fairly level along the top of a ridge to the third nights camp (site 38) on the top of Mount Sterling (11.5 miles). A steel fire tower is located at the summit of the mountain and provides spectacular 360 degree views.

Sunday July 26th

Descend steeply down the Baxter Creek trail through lush old growth forests and moss covered boulders to the Big Creek Picnic Area. The cars will be located approximately 0.6 miles back on a gravel road.

Logistics:

A group of four will be heading down to the park on Wed. July 22nd and staying in a motel outside of the park. The info for the motel will be posted if others are interested in booking a room. The drive will take approximately 8.5-9 hours.

The three campsites have been reserved for 7 people total. The first two of the nights will be in shelters with the third night in a campsite. You WILL need to pack a tent/shelter.

Please be aware that bears are plentiful in this area of the park. Bears have been spotted in or near all three nights campsites this year. Bear lines or bear proof containers are provided at all our campsites.

If you have any additional questions please let me know.

Organizer:	Shark
Trip Date:	09/05/2009 - 09/07/2009
Total Miles:	27.00
Pace:	2.0
Difficulty Level:	Moderately High - Off Trail - Bushwack

Dolly Sods Exploration - Labor Day Weekend

UPDATE #1: We will meet at 10 AM on Saturday, August 5 at the location on the following Google Maps link. It is 0.7 miles south of the Red Creek Campground. It is not an official parking area but just a wide area on the side of the road.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=39.022439,-79.317593&hl=en&geocode=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=18&sll=39.022422,-79.3174&sspn=0.002926,0.006947&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=18

I intend to go down on Friday to scout out a good camp location for our weekend. I intend for our camp to be hidden and is about 1 mile from the cars. Because of its location, I think we should be able to pitch our tents and leave them for the weekend. This will allow us to do all of our exploring with day packs only freeing us up to go further and harder places (if we choose). ANYONE WANTING TO JOIN UP ON FRIDAY, PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL AT LEAST A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE TRIP.

I intend to resupply for food and drinks from the cars each night so bring a cooler stocked with ice and enjoy some good eats around camp that you don't typically experience on distance backpacks. It will still be 2 miles round trip to the cars though some yet to be deteremined conditions to camp. Part of the path to camp is on an old road that is easy to follow, part is in a planted pine forest which has some down trees in it from what I remember from a few years ago. Shouldn't be difficult just to get to camp but don't expect the yellow brick road.

I am still putting together the exploring traces on the Infrared Aerial Photos. I intend to have something soon. We will have plenty of options to explore depending on how rough it is, how we feel, how think the vegetation is, etc. We can do as little or as much as we want.


ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION:
This will be a very fluid hike. My intention is to explore some of the off trail areas on the Eastern side of Dolly Sods that look interesting from aerial photos. I would like to find the old mine entrance as well as some new overlooks and who knows what else we'll find. We may backpack or we may slackpack. Shuttles will probably be necessary.

Dolly Sods will be very crowded this weekend but I doubt we will see many people unless we are on trail, or on a creek near a trail. Parking may get tricky in some places but we'll manage.

We should definately have a big cooler or two in case we slackpack. It would be awesome to have some good food in the evenings in camp. Ther should probably still be huckleberries at this time of year and maybe some early cranberries.

Please only sign up if you are a glutton for punishment. I don't want it to be but in my previous experiences in mountain laurel and rhododendron's it can get pretty bad. Also, the boggy areas can eat boots. I recommend gaiters for sure.

If you are unsure about signing up, please contact me in advance.

Organizer:	GreenBoonie
Trip Date:	07/10/2009 - 07/11/2009
Total Miles:	11.70
Pace:	1-2
Difficulty Level:	Easy

This will be a late Friday evening into Saturday trip. Friday night is a short hike to the campsites. We can enjoy a hardy breakfast before starting the rest of the hike on Saturday. My hiking pace is on the slower side so it will be a leisurely walk in the park. This hike will be mainly in the Western side of the park with minimal elevation rise and falls. A good trip for beginners.

11.7 mile loop in Raccoon Creek State Park
The Forest, Appaloosa, and Heritage trails make up this 11.7 mile loop. The highlights will be a stream valley, one of the highest points in the park, Historic Frankfort Springs, an old homestead cellar and a well.

Raccoon Creek State Park is located in southern Beaver County, 25 miles west of Pittsburgh, via U.S. Routes 22 or 30.  Access to the park from the north and south can be gained via State Route 18 which passes directly through the park.

Plan on meeting me at the Park Office parking lot at 5:30pm.

Trailhead location: Just off of State Route 18 behind the Park Office.

Day 1: We hike 1.5 miles, along the Lake and Forest trails, to the Sioux Camping area. There are five Adirondack type shelters, that will accommodate 4 hikers each, at this camping location if you do not want to bring a tent. A couple of picnic tables and a Bear pole to hang your food are nearby. Water and restrooms are about 200 yards past the camping area. Time: 45-60 minutes

Day 2: We hike 10.2 miles, along Forest, Appaloosa, and Heritage Trails to the Mineral Springs loop and back to the cars. Highlights will be the highest point in the park, an old homestead cellar and a well, and the historic Frankfort Springs and a waterfall. Time: 5 - 6 hours

Overnight permits may be found at the Main Park Office. Non-Resident overnight use fee is $5.00. The park office is located off State Route 18 just 3.2 miles south of US 30. You will need to stop at the office and fill out the registration and put it along with your $5.00 into the Cabin Key return box. The office is closed after 4:00pm but they do have a limited number of envelopes with the forms and maps available by the front door. There is a downloadable form you can print out and fill in before coming to the park. Just put the filled out form and your overnight use fee in a #10 size envelope, mark it Backpacking Reservation Form, and drop it in the box when you get to the Park Office. You can also pay your fee online at www.pa.reserveworld.com

More information about the park as well as downloadable maps and a copy of the overnight backpacking reservation form can be found at the Friends of Raccoon Creek State Park web site.

http://www.friendsofraccoon.com/

Any questions just email me.

GreenBoonie

Organizer:	Aaron
Trip Date:	06/27/2009 - 06/28/2009
Total Miles:	18.20
Pace:	2.5
Difficulty Level:	moderate, fast

This section of NCT is 8.6 miles. We will park on SR 321 and the NCT and hike south to chapel Bay. I have never been on the chapel bay section of the NCT and I’m not sure of the camp site situation. If we don’t find camping at chapel bay we will continue on the NCT until we do. That is why I’m limiting the trip size to 6. Morrison is just over the hill, we may track back and bushwhack to Morrison, it’s unlikely but who knows. Packs on at 11:30am.

On Sunday we will backtrack to SR. 321

direction to the trailhead:

View Larger Map

Organizer:	Steve .none.
Trip Date:	06/06/2009 - 06/07/2009
Total Miles:	20.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

We plan to hike the North Country trail from SR59 to Johnny Cake Run which is in the proposed Tracy Ridge wilderness area.  If we feel good there is very nice camping an additional 2miles north which would make a total trip of 24 miles.  

Day 1

Meet at the trailhead on SR59 which is 5.3 miles east of Cornplanter Bridge and approx. 1.5 miles east of Morrison parking.  I plan to be on the trail by 10:00 am so plan your arrival accordingly. 

Day 2

Backtrack to the cars.

Please post or e-mail with any questions you may have.

Organizer:	hclayton
Trip Date:	09/05/2009 - 09/07/2009
Total Miles:	8.00
Pace:	1-2
Difficulty Level:	Easy

Most trips to Minister Creek are an overnight, But this will be two nights. Provide your own food, but SEE Day Notes below!!!!!

Day 1: Approx: 4+ miles. Hike from parking area to Triple Forks Area, We will be camping at the area that is designated as Camp on the GPS file on the NEOH Minister Creek file. There is plenty of water available where we will be camping, you just need to filter or purify it. With whatever you bring for supper I will be baking Baked Potatoes and Biscuits (one each per member)

Day 2: Approx: 3- miles. I will bake muffins to go along with breakfast you bring. Again, 1 per member. Hike from Camp site to the overlook. This is the hardest part of the trail in my opinion, but will not be bad since when we get to the overlook and find campsite we are done for the day, but we may need to hike to get water as none is available at the overlook.

Day 3: Approx: 1+ Miles. Hike from overlook back to cars. Short downhill.

We will meet at the Minister Creek parking lot at 10:00, and hit the trail by 10:30.

This trip is spirits, pet and smoking friendly. If you have any questions please drop me a line at 330-294-8750.

Anyone that is attending this trip should know that if you have a pet that you want to bring it is OK, BUT, the pet is your responsibility I would hope that us pet owners know that.

************* New Notes ************* May 30, 2009
Day 1 is the longest part of this trip. I know this trail is very photo friendly and if anyone likes to take pictures there are a lot of great rock formations on day 1. We can take our time and enjoy the views and get some great pictures.
Also:
If anyone has any trail baking methods they use please contact me. I would like to make this trip a learning trip for all. I will be using foil wrap for the potatoes, reflector oven and steaming for the biscuits and muffins.

Organizer:	Steve .none.
Trip Date:	06/26/2009 - 06/28/2009
Total Miles:	26.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

The plan is to hike the North and South Link trails that connect the Black Forest Trail (BFT) to the Susquehannock Trail System (STS).  Here is the current plan:

Friday June 26^th

Leave after work and drive to the trailhead (4 ½ hours from Kent).  We will start the hike where the BFT crosses Route 44 which is mile 13.3 on the BFT.  This may be hard to spot in the dark so I will forward better directions before the start date.  We will hike less than a mile by headlamp and set up camp near the intersection of the BFT and North Link.

Saturday June 27^th

North Link to STS         8.5 miles

STS to South Link         2.2 miles

South Link to camp     3.0 miles (flexible based on finding good camp site)

The South Link has numerous creek crossings so I do recommend sandals

Sunday June 28^th

South Link to BFT        3.0 miles

BFT to Blackberry       4.5 miles (this is a very nice section of the BFT)

Blackberry to Santiero di Shay           0.5 miles

Santiero to BFT           3.0 miles

BFT to car                    0.5

Drive home

Full disclosure: most of this trip will be new ground for me so we will “discover” the trail together.   

Happy trails!

Organizer:	GT
Trip Date:	10/08/2009 - 10/11/2009
Total Miles:	25.50
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

Last year the weather and fall colors were AWSOME. Hoping for a repeat this year!!!
 

Organizer:	GreenBoonie
Trip Date:	06/06/2009 - 06/07/2009
Total Miles:	10.60
Pace:	1-2
Difficulty Level:	MODERATE

Backpack the Quebec Run Wild Area. This hike takes the long route around the circumference of the Quebec Run Wild Area. We will hike a total of 10.6 miles, with 960 feet of elevation change. The place is a 7,441-acre wooded preserve on the eastern slope of Chestnut Ridge in Fayette County, just east of Uniontown, named for Quebec Run, which flows through it.  I hope to catch the Mountain Laurel in bloom. Plan on meeting at 11:00am at the Western Trailhead parking lot. (N39 44.377 W79 43.019)

Day1: 6.6 miles. From the Western parking area, we will follow the Hess Trail north to the Miller Trail. The Hess trail has varied terrain with a substantial climb up after crossing Quebec Run. Legend has it that during the Civil War a band of Confederate raiders hid captured Union gold in a cave above Quebec Run and sealed it with a dynamite blast. It was never found. The Hess trail meets up with the Miller Trail by the North parking area. We then follow the Miller Trail down hill to the Mill Run Trail hiking to the southern end of the Mill Run trail and find campsites along Mill Run.

Day2: 4 miles. We will hike the Mill Run trail south to West Road and the Tebolt Trail. We then hike the Tebolt Trail up out and away from Quebec Run back to the Western Parking area. There are several chalenging stream crossings along this trail.
 

Difficulty: Mostly moderate to easy walking, though steep and strenuous in spots. Mainly typical Appalachian Mountains. Some of the up hill sections can be really strenuous so make sure you can handle them.

Location and directions: The Quebec Run Wild Area is part of the Forbes State Forest along the eastern slope of Chestnut Ridge in Fayette County, about 70 miles southeast of Downtown Pittsburgh. You can get there from U.S. Route 40 east of Uniontown. Just east of the Summit Inn, turn south, as if heading toward Laurel Caverns, on Skyline Drive; at 6.6 miles from US 40 at Quebec Road; bear right continuing south on Skyline Drive for another 2.7 miles and look on the left for the West parking lot. I will be taking my SUV and I have room for 3 other hikers and their gear if anyone needs a ride.  
 

Email me with any questions you may have.

Organizer:	Aaron
Trip Date:	05/16/2009 - 05/17/2009
Total Miles:	12.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Moderate

Rimrock & Morrison Trails, ANF – outer loop. We’ll hike both Rimrock and Morrison Trails – without the shortcut up the middle. We’ll hike in approximately half way on Saturday and camp at the boating access campsites -- which will be fine this time of year. The cost per person to stay at the campsites will be approx. $3.50 to $10, depending on how much space you’d like – it’s up to you.  Two or three tents can fit comfortably on some sites.  The trailhead parking lot is located off SR59, 16 miles east of Warren, PA and 17 miles from Bradford, PA. We’ll meet at 11:30 a.m. If you have any questions, just ask. See you at the trailhead!


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Organizer:	hclayton
Trip Date:	06/06/2009 - 06/07/2009
Total Miles:	9.20
Pace:	2.0
Difficulty Level:	Walk in tht park

The Archers Fork Backpack Trail is located in far southeastern Ohio in the heavily forested and sparsely populated northeast corner of Washington County, which is part of the Marietta Management Unit of Wayne National Forest. Archers Fork is farther from any major metropolitan area than any other trail in the state. Getting to the trailhead may not be as convenient as some other Ohio hikes, but to experience this trail in hardcore Appalachian Ohio is worth the trip. Walking the Archers Fork Trail is a glimpse into the natural, mineral and human history defining this region.

The name Archers Fork is both the name of a stream draining the area and a very small community about a mile south of where the trail crosses the stream. Archers Fork (the stream) empties into the Little Muskingum River and forms at the confluence of two smaller streams: Irish Run and Jackson Run, which lie at the center of the trail's loop. The Macksburg oil and gas field underlies this entire region, so expect to see results of active and historic exploitations of these resources.

Archers Fork offers more than just a hike through a forest of trees. Along the way you will see many rock formations in the form of caves, cliffs, overhang shelters and even a natural arch. The Irish Run Natural Bridge, although technically just an arch as there isn't or hasn't been a presence of water under it, is located near the trail and worth a few minutes of your time to explore. A larger cave, named the Great Cave on trail signage, is located just off the trail near the St. Patrick's Cemetery trailhead. The rocky ridges in this area attain an average elevation relief of approximately 350 feet.

Although not old growth by any means, the forests in this part of the Wayne are still stately with oak and hickory forests dominating upland areas. A mixed forest type of cherry, tuliptree, walnut and ash can be found on many slopes. Sycamore and beech are found in wetter bottomlands. This middle-aged forest is home to an abundant variety or bird and mammal life. As the sun fades, it's not uncommon to hear a pair of noisy owls or the call of the whip-poor-will. Coyotes roam these hills and their howls are often heard at dusk as well. It's not out of the question that a black bear could be spotted passing through the area as they are known to populate this part of the state. This is also copperhead and timber rattlesnake country, so a little extra caution should be exercised in warmer months. Of course, deer and turkey are well represented here as well.

A hike on the 9.2-mile Archers Fork Trail loop starts at a small parking area in front of St. Patrick's Cemetery. You'll walk about 0.1 mile down an old township road heading downhill past the cemetery before actually starting on the official trail. White diamonds with a blue disc somewhat sparingly mark the main trail, and, unfortunately, mark side trails. Since the western half of the Archers Fork loop is shared with the North Country Trail, you'll also see blue diamonds marking that trail. Due to a history of oil and gas development in the area, expect to sporadically encounter old oil and gas wells (some still operational) and old steel and plastic pipelines (some leaking) lying on top of the ground and across the trail.

Since this is Wayne National Forest, camping is allowed anywhere along the trail. There are no WNF established camps on the trail, or any one well-worn area that appears to have gained preference over others. There are several spots in three consecutive hollows (shown on the map) near the 5.0-mile point that would make pleasant campsites. These areas are flat and provide the option to treat water from the streams flowing in these hollows, or from nearby Jackson Run.

Here is where I found the info at:
http://www.backpackohio.com/archersfork.html

I am planning on being at the trailhead at 9:00 am on Saturday and heading back on Sunday. This is about 2.5 - 3 hours from Cleveland, SE Ohio.

Here is where the trailhead is. Just go to www.googlemaps.com and put in these numbers: 39.5239°N, 81.1806°W

Hope to see you there!

Organizer:	Qi Wiz
Trip Date:	09/11/2009 - 09/13/2009
Total Miles:	15.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	6

Want to learn more about how to reduce your impacts when you hit the trail? Want to learn how to teach these skills to others? If you answered yes to these questions, accept my invitation to become a Leave No Trace certified Trainer.

We will hike the Wildcat Hollow trail loop and all course participants will also become certified as LNT Trainers if they complete the course requirements (active participation in all learning sessions; prepare and give a talk on one of the seven principles). I picked this trail because there are no designated campsites (even though people have created some) so we'll be able to consider choices based on LNT principles and practice methods like advanced cathole digging, mound fire, etc. The cost covers LNT materials for each participant to keep and use in their future activities as a Trainer; also covers liability insurance required by LNT for me to offer the course. I have had the good fortune to have recruited EarsWideOpen to be my co-instructor on this course. He is also a LNT Master Educator, and he is our State LNT Advocate (for Ohio).

If we head out Friday night and finish the trail Sunday afternoon, we should be able to do the coursework and enjoy the hike - what a great combination! More details follow below on the course curriculum and methods - email me with any questions you have. Our Friday night camp will be very near the trailhead and I will supply directions so that you'll be able to find it even after dark if you have to, but those that can get there early enough will gather and leave the trailhead at 6 PM. We will return to the trailhead on or before 5 PM Sunday.

Wildcat Hollow Trail description:

A fifteen mile loop of scenic trail along ridge-tops and stream bottoms which will lead through tall pine forests, open meadows, quiet streams, rock outcroppings, and down old roads overlooking miles of beautiful landscape located in Wayne National Forest.

The trail is in an area that has had mining and gas exploration/wells - water is not safe to drink. We will be setting up a water cache close to our Saturday camp area, so you will have to carry enough for 24 hours but will have a mid-trip water resupply.

The trailhead is located just outside of Burr Oak State Park which is located in Southeastern Ohio.

Directions from the Cleveland area:

Google Map to Wildcat Hollow: http://www.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=W+154th+St&daddr=39.596959,-82.056799+to:Wildcat+Hollow&hl=en&geocode=FWxVeAId_M8f-w%3B%3BFfjWWwId00cc-w&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=14&via=1&sll=39.590543,-82.054653&sspn=0.053774,0.111237&safe=on&ie=UTF8&z=14


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OR
(from a previous club trip)

Take I-77 south to -70 west to State Route 13 south to Corning.
From Corning at the junction of SR 13 and SR 155 take Main Street (SR 155) east 0.4 mile to the top of the hill and bear right onto Waterworks Road (County Road 70). Continue east on Waterworks Rd. about 2 miles until it ends at Irish Ridge Road (County Road 16) and turn right (south). Follow Irish Ridge Rd. about 1.5 miles and turn left on Dew Road (County Road 69). Follow this about 1 mile until it ends at Township Road 289. Turn left and follow TWP 289 about 0.7 mile to County Road 58. Turn left on County Road 58. Follow County Road 58 about a half mile to the parking lot on the left.

Here's a link to a GPS file and trail/waypoint descriptions for those who use GPS and enjoy these things (I do).
http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?tripId=30821

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Here's more course details. Please read this if you sign up or are still wondering whether or not this experience is right for you.

Leave No Trace Trainer Course Detailed Info

"Plan Ahead and Prepare" is the first LNT principle. We have a diverse group with some experienced backpackers as well as some who are relatively new to backpacking but who have had other outdoor experiences and have a love of nature. Your preparation and active participation will make this a great course that will be memorable for all of us.

Things you need to know and do --

General Info:
-- To become a certified LNT Trainer, you have to take a Trainer Course and participate in all of the learning sessions, prepare and deliver a presentation on a LNT principle, and demonstrate behavior on the trail in accordance with LNT principles. Whether you qualify or not is up to me (and EarsWideOpen) as your course instructors to certify to the National LNT office. My assumption is that all participants will qualify. In becoming a Trainer, you will certainly enhance your knowledge of LNT, but you will also learn different ways to teach LNT to others. As a Trainer, you will have to decide if you want to be listed on a public website as a Trainer or not (if you are listed, people may get in touch with you to teach them about LNT). There is no obligation to be listed.
-- While we will hike the main loop of the Wildcat Hollow Trail during the course, an important focus of our activity will be the course content. This should not prevent us from enjoying our trek, and in fact is likely to enhance it as we learn from each other. It will mean that we may stop on the trail for impromptu LNT discussions of something we notice, or for a break during which one of you will present your principle to the group. We will have about 3.5 to 4.0 hours of actual hiking on Saturday and again on Sunday, so we'll have plenty of time for course content and enjoying the setting we're in.

My Credentials:
-- I can offer this course and certify you as a LNT "Trainer" because I am a LNT "Master Educator." As a Trainer, you can teach LNT "Awareness Sessions" of any length, but you cannot train Trainers unless you are a Master Educator. I took my first Trainer course in NE Ohio over a weekend in 2004. In 2005, I took a 6-day Trainer course at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico (was essentially a Master Educator course but was not certified as such by LNT). In 2008 I took a backpacking-emphasis Master Educator course in Oregon in the Cascades. My main focus has been on backpacking LNT, because that's what I do the most and know the most about from my own experience. I have some knowledge of LNT principles applied to canoe treks, river running, mountaineering, winter trekking, etc. - but my knowledge and experience are less in these areas. If any questions come up during the course that I can't answer I will get you the answers once we're off the trail.
-- I will be joined by EarsWideOpen as a co-instructor for your LNT

Organizer:	hans2112
Trip Date:	05/09/2009 - 05/10/2009
Total Miles:	7.00
Pace:	2-2.5
Difficulty Level:	Easy to Moderate

This trip will probably not cover any terrain you may have seen hiking the Minister Creek loop. It's southern most point is about a quarter mile north of Triple Fork. I have done this trip many times. I am choosing a more remote area because I will be taking my very well-behaved dog who has done the trip a few times as well. The trip is basically walking about 3 miles along a fire road before a steep descent off-trail, straight downhill into the valley to camp.

There's some nice large rock formations on the descent and some tiny waterfalls at the creek. Footing may be difficult for some on the descent but if you take your time, you will be fine (hiking staff is helpful). Going up is fine if you stop a few times to rest (no switchbacks), then it's a nearly flat walk back to the car. Plenty of water at the bottom of the hill.

We will meet at the intersection of Forest Road 116 and 250 on Saturday at 11am. There's room there for about 5 cars. I'll be coming from Lakewood and have room for one more passenger. I can swing by the Minister Creek parking lot at 10:30 to escort anybody that is wary of venturing into poorly marked roads. Better directions are available to anybody signed up for the trip via email. I will be at the Club Meeting Sunday, April 26th if you have any questions.


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We should be back at the cars by noon Sunday so there would still be time to spend time with Mom if you needed to do that (Yes, that will be Mother's Day).

Organizer:	Kayaker7775
Trip Date:	06/25/2009 - 06/28/2009
Total Miles:	42.50
Pace:	2.5
Difficulty Level:	Strenuous

I borrowed much of the trail description and directions directly from Trailhead, Thank you. The Black Forest trail is located in and around Tiadaghton State Forest in north central Pennsylvania. It is located in the Pine Creek Gorge area with the main trailhead in Slate Run, right on Pine Creek's banks. The Black Forest Trail is a 42.1-mile rugged loop trail consisting of long climbs and very few switchbacks.

The parking lot is located in Slate Run, Pa. This location will show up on Google Maps. Take I-80 to exit 178 in PA. Follow signs for US 220 for approximately 17 miles, then exit left onto Rt 44. Follow Rt 44 for about 9 miles to Waterville. About 1 mile after Waterville, you’ll intersect with Rt 414. Follow Rt 414 north to Slate Run and turn left on Slate Run Road. We will meet at the parking lot at the junction on 414 & Slate Run Road.  The parking lot is just before you cross the bridge over Pine Creek.  The Parking lot is on the east side of the bridge and the Hotel Manor is on the west side.

We will meet at the parking lot by 10:30PM on Thursday June 25^th.  We will then travel to the trailhead as a group. We will hike a short distance ( ¼ mile) by headlamp to camp along side Slate Run.

There are several trip logs on this trail.  Please do your research on the trail before you sign up.  This will be a DIFFICULT trip.  This is NOT a beginners trip.

I am currently limiting the trip to 4 people.  If people are willing to share tents I will expand it to 6 people.  Most sites will only accommodate 4 tents.

Night 1: Thursday June 25^th, we will drive out after work (10:30 PM) and camp near the trailhead on Slate Run.

Day 2: Friday June 26^th, we will get up early and hike the BFT in a clockwise direction. This is the opposite direction of most of the previous BFT trips. We will start the day with a killer climb up a very steep ridge. We will hike approximately 15 miles to Callahan Run.  We will camp at Callahan Run if the campsite is available.  If the site is not available will have to hike another 3 miles to Yellow Jacket Hollow to camp. This day will be a DIFFICULT day with many steep climbs.

Day 3: Saturday June 27^th, we will hike approximately 17 miles.  The mileage on this day will more than the previous day but the terrain will less intense.  We will camp along Red Run.

Day 4:  Sunday June 28^th, we will get up early and hike the remaining 8 miles back to the cars.  After the trip we can have brunch at the Hotel Manor.

Organizer:	hclayton
Trip Date:	04/25/2009 - 04/26/2009
Total Miles:	8.00
Pace:	0.5-2
Difficulty Level:	Easy

This will be my wife's, mclayton, first backpacking trip. We will also have our two dogs with us. This is their 1st backpacking trip also. With the short distance of this trail the pace will be adjusted to the groups durability. We will be camping at the area that is designated as Camp on the GPS file on the NEOH Minister Creek file. There is plenty of water available where we will be camping, you just need to filter or purify it.

We will meet at the Minister Creek parking lot at 11:00, and hit the trail by 11:30. We will hike the trail counter clockwise and camp in the triple forks area, gather plenty of firewood and enjoy an evening round the fire. Sunday we will follow the trail counter clockwise back to the parking lot, we will take a break at the overlook to enjoy the view and if anyone wants to have lunch here that is an also an option. This trip is spirits, pet and smoking friendly. If you have any questions please drop me a line at 330-294-8750.
************Notes******************** April 22, 2009
It looks like we are going to have good weather for the trip!!! :)
I guess I should have said what type of dogs I have that will be on this trip. My dogs are a German Shepard 10 months and a Welsh Corgi 5 years.
Anyone that is attending this trip should know that if you have a pet that you want to bring it is OK, BUT, the pet is your responsibility I would hope that us pet owners know that.

Organizer:	Aaron
Trip Date:	05/23/2009 - 05/25/2009
Total Miles:	22.00
Pace:	2
Difficulty Level:	Moderate to Diffucult

Mount Rogers, boasts among its accolades wide sweeping vistas reminiscent of the western USA, diverse plant and animal life, the opportunity to scramble up huge volcanic boulders, amazing scenery, and of course, the wild ponies, yes many many wild ponies.

Most of the trail is on the Appalachian Trail. People say that this is the most beautiful section of the AT. The area contains some of the most spectacular scenery and rugged terrain in Virginia. Mount Rogers is the highest elevation in Virginia (5729 ft), and nearby Whitetop Mountain (5520 ft) is the second highest peak. The area is located in the Blue Ridge province, and contains a unique record of the Precambrian history of Virginia. It is the only place in Virginia that preserves evidence of ancient glaciation. In addition, massive rhyolite lava flows erupted there some 760 million years ago. It is located near the tri-state boundary (VA, TN, NC) in Grayson, Smyth, and Washington Counties near the town of Konnarock, VA.

This is by far the best club trip for a long weekend.

Day 1Saturday	We will leave early in the morning and drive down to the trail head (410 miles, 7.5 hours). Let's start hiking by 2pm. We then will hike 3.5 miles, a climb of 1500 ft. to the first camp site. The hike is all up hill. We will hit a water source till mid hike up hill and then late morning the next day. So make sure to have enough water vessels for overnight.
Day 2Sunday	This day we will hike about 10 miles. The hike is up and down with one big up. We will see wild ponies and great views. We will camp about a mile from the peak. There is a water source about 1/4 mile from the camp site. This day is a little more difficult and long.
Day 3Monday	We will hike 8.5 miles back to the Parking lot.